Julie's Framing And Gallery in Chattanooga: Custom Framing with a Retail Gallery
Julie's Framing And Gallery is a custom framing shop with an attached retail gallery that sells original art, prints, and frame-ready pieces on the North Shore side of Chattanooga. The business pairs hands-on framing services with curated inventory, making it useful both for people needing archival work done on existing artwork and those browsing for new pieces to hang.
What Julie's Framing And Gallery actually is
The core business is custom picture framing. The gallery side displays original work from local and regional artists alongside prints, canvas pieces, and decorative items suitable for matting and framing. Unlike large retail frame shops focused on volume and standard sizes, Julie's operates as a small independent where the framing decision happens with direct input from the shop owner or staff. The retail section functions as a showroom, not a high-traffic art market; inventory rotates and emphasizes quality over breadth.
Services and pricing
Custom framing includes mat selection, glass options (standard, UV-protective, nonglare), backing, and frame material ranging from basic wood and metal to premium hardwoods. Pricing for a simple 8-by-10 frame job (mat, glass, frame, backing) typically runs $60 to $150 depending on frame choice and mat complexity; larger or specialty work costs more. The gallery sells original art starting around $50 for small prints and extending to several hundred dollars for larger original paintings. Matted prints run $30 to $80 before framing. Verify current pricing by phone, as framing costs fluctuate with material sourcing.
The shop also offers consultation for framing projects brought in by customers: a client can bring a poster, photograph, or piece of textile and receive advice on mat color, frame style, and preservation-level glass before committing to the work. This service is included in the framing estimate.
How it compares to other Chattanooga galleries
Chattanooga has several framing options. Michaels and Hobby Lobby both offer in-store framing at lower price points, typically $30 to $80 for basic jobs, but use template designs and faster turnaround with less personalization. Julie's takes longer (typically 2 to 3 weeks) but allows custom mat cuts, special glass treatments, and frame combinations not available in chain-store inventories. For retail art shopping alone, Chattanooga's Main Street and North Shore have artist co-ops and independent galleries focused primarily on sales and exhibition rather than framing services. Julie's appeals to people who need both: a finished piece and the framing to display it properly, or who want to frame something already in hand and discover new work simultaneously.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
This place works well for people who own art or photographs needing archival-quality framing, local artists needing consistent framing for multiple pieces, and shoppers looking for original or unusual prints in a smaller, browsable setting. It also suits anyone wanting consultation on how to frame an unusual item (old letters, military medals, textiles) without pressure to buy additional pieces. It does not suit shoppers seeking fast turnaround (the 2 to 3-week timeline is standard for quality custom work) or those on a tight budget seeking the cheapest possible frame for a poster.
What the first visit involves
Walk in, browse the displayed gallery pieces and prints on the walls and in bins or display cases. If you've brought something to frame, ask to speak with the owner or framer; describe the item, its size, and how you intend to display it. The framer will show mat samples, frame options, and glass grades, answer questions about UV protection or acid-free backing, and provide a written estimate. If you're shopping, most items are priced and labeled; ask about artist names or specific pieces if you want to know more about a particular work.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The shop is located on the North Shore. Parking is available on street or lot; confirm hours by phone or website before visiting, as independent frame shops sometimes adjust seasonal hours. The space is small, so it accommodates customers one or two at a time during consultation.
Julie's Framing And Gallery serves Chattanooga customers who value personal service and archival standards over convenience and price, and who appreciate seeing local and regional artwork while handling their framing business in one location.
