If you're in midtown and need some framing done, we have a recommendation that Lee's Art Shop is a "a viable, albeit volume (and sort of hit or miss) alternative on the lower end of the framing dollar spectrum." Lee's offers "more molding options," is "quicker" on the turnaround and recently "refurbished their digs" so they seem to be heading in the right direction. (Thanks, Patrick!)
NY Mag says: Great for its framing service, drafting supplies, fine pens, and high-design desk accessories.
Yelp.com says: ...Lee's is definitely not a bargain. ... However, if you are far from Pearl's, and you need a size 6 brush, this is a convenient stop.
Lee's on 57th is snooty, but no one mentioned their gorgeous lighting. I can't buy anything now--tapped out by renovation--but fun to look at. Probably one of the Bowery stores has similar at a much cheaper price, but if you're in the neighborhood, it worth taking a look (I work nearby)...They also have some cool furniture...also pricey. I was in there a couple of weeks ago buying clip frames after trying several other art stores that had run out of various sizes.
Nadine
Sorry I have been posting about my children so much - I know this is annoying to some non-parents and some parents too - but the only experience I (or my wife actually) has with Lee's is when she tried to go there to buy some supplies while she was with our twins in a double stroller. OK, so maybe shopping with kids in midtown on a Sunday (we were in the area and I was running another errand) is a no no but, as she tried to get in, an assistant told her that she could not come in with the stroller. The assistant was pretty adamant so she had to give up.
Not really a biggie - it's a free country afterall - and I'm not one of those ppl who threaten to tell all their friends so this is not one of those posts, but I must admit, that is the first and only time that that has every happened to us and it was quite surprising.
Lee's has always been a snooty shop with arrogant staff. I grew up around the corner and also went to the Art Students League, and I would always make the effort to go to Pearl Paint instead.
Back in the mid seventies, my mom took all her Egon Schiele prints to be framed - gessoed, golf-leafed, the works - they were outrageously expensive, too, and started cracking and peeling about 5 years later. She finally threw the frames out last year. I walked into Lee's a couple of years ago to talk about the frames, and the manager told me, point blank: "Aw, that's too bad". I almost had a stroke on the spot. Never will I ever again set foot in that effing "shop".
I've had better luck working with the Lee's on 3rd Ave. I don't know if it was because I was working with a well known design firm or if they're just easier to work with. I had to call the W. 57th St. store to ask for the Lee's phone # on 3rd Ave. and they were rude about it. But on the whole, I wouldn't send anyone there. There are so many other places in Manhattan to go to.
I've had at least three bad experiences at this shop!
First - they NEVER answer the phone. Once when the phone was answered, the person who picked up put down the phone but didn't put it on hold so I could hear that he just put down the phone and went about his business! I stayed on hold until it really wasn't funny anymore.
Second - I was in a last-minute birthday gift frenzy and they were SO un-helpful in the frame department, it wasn't even funny. I ended up getting a mat custom-cut at another shop and framing it myself.
Third - My last time in there was last year at Christmas - it was such a zoo and nobody was really visibly helping anyone. The line was going in two different directions and you know how that goes at holiday time!
I'm done with them!
Didn't mention anything else like lighting or whatever, because anything that Lee's has you can get elsewhere, CHEAPER, and is usually sold by people who have a good attitude. Lee's sucks, period.
I used Lee's framing deapartment for many years, and they almost always did a very good job. Recently, however, the quality of the work has deteriorated markedly. And the framing deapartment staff! Indifferent to the quality (or, rather, lack thereof)of the work done, rude, and, frankly, just plain weird. I'll never have another item framed there. Avoid it like the plague -- at least as far as framing is concerned, you will NOT be satisfied.
I worked at Lee's Art Shop from 1987 to 1988. I know the inside scoop on this place. Every thing was marked up at some ridiculous rate. Most of the employees there now have been with them for over 15 years. They are all burnt out. I left to be a sales rep. for another company in New York. I treat my customers ( corporate mostly) like GOLD. I have been with them for 20 years and have so much flexibility with how little I can sell stuff for. We sell Epson small and large format printers, all ink and paper for all printers, Custom framing, Xyron machines and adhesives, Everything Pantone, all design and presentation supplies etc. If you want to deal with a really good company and nice guy, give me a call.
You'll see what real "customer service " is all about.
bluesplayer2@msn.com
The store is dang PRETTY though. But it's true, their frame staff just almost couldn't be weirder. I love looking at their lighting, but the limited experience that I've had dealing with them makes me dread the day when I really, truly will HAVE to buy from them, if they end up having something that I just can't find elsewhere.
view Curtis's profile