A family-owned small business supporting local crafters and offering custom picture framing, Gallery at Lands End in Pacific Beach is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.<\/p>\n
Begun in Ocean Beach as a lithography business by Jay and Vicki Ford in 1973, the business was ultimately sold to employee Thayne Yungman (above). A custom picture framer, woodworker, and photographer, he pushed to create a warm gallery environment exhibiting local artists\u2019 works. In 2013, the gallery expanded into showcasing handmade local gifts from some of San Diego’s best craft makers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Fords in the \u201970s to \u201990s were selling printing-quality, high-end poster work,\u201d said Yungman who started working with them in 2002. \u201cWe started to slowly pull back and do a little more artistic stuff. From there we pivoted again toward locally crafted goods in this converted two-bedroom beach bungalow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Located on a corner lot on Cass and Loring streets, Yungman noted they\u2019ve seen a lot of change in their north Pacific Beach neighborhood, which has established its own unique identity over the years. \u201cWe\u2019ve got established restaurants here now,\u201d Yungman noted adding, \u201cWhen you think of PB you still think of Garnet. But a lot of people know this is a destination for brunch on weekends. That has all changed since we\u2019ve been here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Perusing the gift shop indoors at Lands End, there is a seemingly endless supply of jewelry including rings, necklaces, earrings, polished stones of all types, coffee mugs, ceramics, glass and wood products. \u201cWe know all these makers, they are local, and we\u2019re paying out directly to the artist,\u201d pointed out Yungman. \u201cThat gets people in the door and lets them know that we (also) do custom framing, which has been way up since COVID.\u201d<\/p>\n
Noting custom framing is his \u201cbread and butter,\u201d Yungman added, \u201cOur clients are everybody. We have everyone from people with international artwork who want it framed as a keepsake, to collectors in La Jolla. We run the gamut.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lands End switched to working by appointment only during the pandemic. \u201cThat has been a big deal for us, allowing people to book online and know they have a specific amount of time with us, which has been really great,\u201d said Yungman who added, about client consultation, \u201cA lot of times people don\u2019t know what they want; sometimes you have to show them what they don\u2019t like in order to figure out what they do like. Customer framing is a lot about reading the customer and interpersonal communication: It is about picking up on what is making people happy, and showing them more options.\u201d<\/p>\n
The gift shop and custom framing are two complementary businesses under the same roof. \u201cI do all the woodworking,\u201d noted Yungman. \u201cI\u2019m lucky to have the ability of artistic expression in a hobby that makes a couple of dollars.\u201d He added, \u201cI\u2019m not interested in buying something from China. I want to sell something locally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Discussing the key ingredients that go into running a successful mom-and-pop, Yungman said: \u201cBeing such a small business is adapting and innovating, staying new and staying exciting. You continue to go to work and you keep going. Eventually, we found a headwind and dug into it. We switched to appointment-only shopping and custom framing, and once people were stuck inside they picked up house projects. We have been very busy (since) with custom framing.\u201d<\/p>\n
What about the future?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be more of the same until something new pops up,\u201d answered Yungman.<\/p>\n
GALLERY\u00a0AT\u00a0LANDS\u00a0END<\/p>\n
Where: 4984 Cass St.<\/p>\n