Celebrating 30 Years at Eastlake Framing

We’ve reached the big three-oh! As of this year, Eastlake has been in business for three decades. And it has been a crazy, busy, rewarding ride. We caught up with Deb Spicer in between frame restorations and house visits to hear her thoughts on how Eastlake has evolved.

Survival of the fittest
A lot has happened over the past 30 years; the great recession, the Internet, and much more. Through it all, Eastlake is still going strong. “The framing industry is one of the last products touched by a real craftsman left in the world,” says Deb. “We will never be taken over by the Internet or over-run by the digital age. Everything is hand-made by a true artisan.”

The practice, though, has undergone some changes. More sophisticated conservation and preservation techniques have been refined, and we can now offer glass products with UV filters. More recently, the selection in the framing industry has increased, and we now have access to beautiful materials from all over the world. Eastlake has assumed more complex projects than ever before. “We really pride ourselves in keeping up with the latest trends,” says Deb.

It hasn’t always been easy, though. Eight years ago, there were about 28,000 frame shops in the US. Now there are only 8,000. “The ones that are still around are the cream of the crop,” says Deb. “It truly is survival of the fittest in this industry. We were able to keep our loyal customers, but their visits became few and far between during that downturn.”

Looking ahead to 2014, Deb has noticed a new enthusiasm in the community that she hasn’t seen in years. “Our regulars are coming back. People are more optimistic, and we’re excited to see what’s coming next,” she says.

Her Bend roots
When Deb graduated from college, her first business was in photo restoration and retouching, with customers from all over the country. One customer came to Deb, when Eastlake Art was on Bond St. (where New York Sub Shop used to be), because he needed a custom framer and thought she would be perfect for the job. “It had always been in the back of my mind to try it,” recalls Deb. They hired her right away and she worked in a little area in the back that was devoted to framing.

A part-time job, with her own photo restoration business on the side, quickly turned into a larger commitment with days spent at Eastlake and nights working on her own business. Soon after, she took over the business and it became the Eastlake Framing we know today. “It makes me so honored and proud to see where it started and where we are now,” says Deb. “We’ve been so supported and boosted up by our community. I just can’t say enough about our community. Bend is an amazing town.”

A healthy business
“To me, it’s been like magic to see this business grow over the years,” says Deb. “It started as just a passion of mine until it grew into a healthy business and took on a life of its own. It became this stand-alone entity that didn’t need me anymore. But it has always been like my baby–an extension of me. It’s been pretty amazing.”

Deb has been working with the same all-women staff for almost two decades now. “There’s nothing we’d rather be doing. It’s a deep-rooted career for us. And it’s meaningful. We have such a commitment to our customers and to our whole outlook on our business. Sometimes, we act like an old married couple. But mostly we are really like a big happy family.”

Looking back and looking ahead
Eastlake has seen everything from Chagall paintings to an Egyptian papyrus to paint brushes that someone’s grandmother used to paint with. Five years ago, Deb became a certified oil painting and frame restoration specialist, which has taken her in a new direction. “I just absolutely love it. Sometimes I wish I could clone myself so I could do it all because I love it so much,” says Deb.

Come celebrate with us!
To celebrate 30 years of helping Central Oregonians transform their art into framed masterpieces, we’re bringing back the popular “Artist Spotlight” event series. Our first one is February 14, from 5 to 8 pm, here at Eastlake. We’re hosting the highly respected, local photographer, Stuart L. Gordon. The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about what we’re up to!