“Framing Obama” – Artists Frame Service Frames 1st Draft of History

Not since Michael Jordan's 1998 “Repeat the 3-Peat” with the Chicago Bulls has Chicago retailer Artists Frame Service seen one man and one milestone ignite such demand for picture framing. It has created a mini economic boom at the Clybourn Corridor store.

Artists Frame Service manager Nellie Siegel says, "Since election night in Grant Park we have been helping people preserve so many different Barack Obama memories, all kinds of posters, photographs, invitations, buttons, newspapers and election memorabilia – or Obamabilia as it is called. It is really amazing to see the range of personal memories from all the events that Chicagoans have witnessed. We are preserving the first draft of history." The shop expects what has turned out to be a mini economic boom to continue as thousands of locals return from Inauguration events this week.

It has been quite an eventful January for Artists Frame Service. The store's founder and owner, Jay Goltz, was recognized on January 9 by the City of Chicago which re-named the stretch of Clybourn where he has been in business for 30 years, Honorary Jay Goltz Way. Alderman Scott Waguespack of Chicago’s 32nd Ward presented the Street Sign Proclamation at a company party to the resounding cheers of Jay Goltz' 100+ employees. The sign is located at the intersection of Clybourn and Kenmore in Chicago’s Lincoln Park.

Of the street sign recognition Jay Goltz said, "In an environment where small businesses are more challenged than ever, I'm honored to have a city block named after me. It is especially gratifying since my retail career began at the age of five just a few blocks from here at my grandparents' and parents' dime store on Armitage.”