Whether you’re searching for a custom picture frame or a special homemade gift or piece of artwork, The Gallery at Land’s End in Pacific Beach is where your quest could end.
Started by Jay and Vicki Ford in 1973 and sold to Thayne Yungman in April 2008, the hybrid retail store at 4984 Cass St. in northern PB continues to change with the times.
In fact, according to Vicki Ford, who still works there, the gallery, after 41 years in business, is returning to its roots.
“We started out not doing framing but as a crafts gallery,” Ford said, adding, “At this point, it’s kind of making full circle as we’ve added some local gifts and artwork.”
Ford characterized Land’s End as “one business with two arms.”
The Fords actually never intended to become picture framers. It just kind of happened. “We had some artwork and we couldn’t afford to have it framed – so we framed it ourselves,” said Vicki Ford.
Ford said customers would come in and ask, “Who does your framing?.” When we said, ‘We do,’ they said, ‘We have something at home (that needs framing).’ So we said, ‘Why not?’ That’s how we ended up getting into framing, and it grew from there and that has been our major business since.”
When Yungman, a custom picture framer and local photographer, purchased the business from the Fords, Vicki said the framing gallery took off in an altogether new direction.
“This is his (Yungman’s) brainchild,” she said. “It was his energy, his new idea to have gifts and all local artisans.”
The gift inventory at Land’s End includes coffee mugs, T-shirts, women’s necklaces, kitchenware, candles and soaps, stationery and framed artwork. The tables on which the giftware is displayed themselves are art, having been created by Yungman.
Eliza Tolley, Land’s End’s retail manager, said consultation is an important part of the business, especially on the framing end.
“We show customers different styles and what the possibilities are,” Tolley said. “We figure out what their taste is. And then we work from there.”
“Every piece is individual, and the customers are individuals,” noted Ford.
“We also carry a lot of gifts, (greeting) cards and local art,” added Tolley.
Ford, a framing designer, said most of the store’s clients are locals, adding a lot of them “we’ve had for all these years, decorating their homes with nice framed pictures.”
Ford said that Lands End’s framing services are sought after because “they have valuable art and they want it done correctly. We use all archival and acid-free papers and we want it to be preserved.”
The gallery’s converted, corner-lot single-family home has a couple of display rooms for art and a design room with scores of frames from which to choose of every imaginable variety, from plain and simple to rich and ornate.
Tolley and Ford said both aspects of the business complement each other.
“We have customers that come in to pick up gifts, and then they discover we do framing and vice versa,” said Tolley.
“Or they come in (for frames) and their eye is caught by our lovely gifts,” said Ford. “It works both ways.”
“We are proud of the quality, artisanship, and creativity displayed by our local suppliers and are grateful for the opportunity to showcase their works,” says the company’s website at www.galleryatlandsend.com. “Whether you’re a local, a regular, a vacationer, or a new face, come in, enjoy the artwork, check out the website, and say hi.” The Gallery at Land’s End Where: 4984 Cass St. Hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact:?(858) 270-7820 or email [email protected] Website:?www.galleryatlandsend.com