PALM HARBOR — Don Hurt, owner of Your Claim to Frame, sees a trend.
People are coming into his frame shop aiming to preserve family memories more now than ever before.
"It might be the economy,'' said Hurt, 65. "People bring in priceless family photos knowing whatever the mall has is not as valuable as what is in their own albums.''
Hurt knows a thing or two about trends. His frame business in Palm Harbor is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month.
Your Claim to Frame opened on June 9, 1979, in the Highland Lakes Shopping Center on U.S. 19 as one of the original tenants. At that time, there were only two shopping centers in Palm Harbor.
"We opened as a franchise, called the Frame Factory, a do-it-yourself frame shop and custom shop. When the franchise closed out, we adopted the name, Your Claim To Frame," the Arkansas native said.
In 1984, the business expanded to a second shop in the Northwood Oaks Center on McMullen Booth Road for 10 years. In 1990, Hurt moved his business to the current location at 1210 Nebraska Ave., in the city's historic downtown. The store is his pride and joy.
"The location has always been good," he said. "People come in and say they came in because they've seen the building for years here.''
Summer hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Clearwater
Engineering company ranks in nation's top
McKim & Creed, 1365 Hamlet Ave., Clearwater, has been ranked 223rd among 500 designs firms in the United States, according to Engineering News-Record.
Clearwater
Business association honors defense vendor
EEI, 703 Grand Central St., Clearwater, has been named the Small Business Subcontractor of the Year for 2009 by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The small business, owned by Sue Englander, was recognized for excellence in its role as a vital subcontractor on federal government contracts associated with the Department of Defense.
TARPON SPRINGS
Retired executives give entrepreneur tips
The Service Corps of Retired Executives will present "Ten Steps to Starting a Small Business" at 7 p.m. Monday at the Tarpon Springs Library, 138 E Lemon St. Reservations are requested. Materials and handouts are provided. Stop by or call the library at (727) 943-4922 to sign up.
Piper Castillo is reachable at pcastillo@sptimes.com
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