90 Years Young The Studio Shop, Burlingame’s oldest retail business, is still thriving in our 95th year of business, proof that independent, family-owned businesses can survive and grow in the twenty-first century market-place. Founded in 1915 by Ralph and Dorothy Crawford, The Studio Shop may be among the oldest custom picture framing shops in Northern California. Dorothy, born Maude Fink, drew patrons to The Studio Shop with her photography, taking portraits and landscapes, and even gaining national attention for her work. The Burlingame Historical Society owns a small collection of Dorothy’s photographs-—most of what remains of her once vast portfolio. The business was originally located on Burlingame Avenue, but during the 1920s, Ralph—-once the city engineer for the booming new town of Burlingame—-planned and designed the English cottage style Ralph K. Crawford building still standing on 311 Primrose Road to house the flourishing business. Despite his death in 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression, Dorothy had the shop built and dedicated in 1931. Dorothy’s niece, Carolyn Converse Misselwitz, took over the business in 1944 when Dorothy retired. In 1955, Misselwitz sold the business to John Benson, who had been teaching art and woodworking, and his wife, Martha; it has been owned and operated by the Benson family ever since. John’s artistic and woodworking talents made him a master framer, while Martha’s eye for color and design made her an invaluable resource for clients trying to choose frames and mats. The couple was able to expand The Studio Shop’s clientele and their dedication to excellence kept those clients coming back. John and Martha were also active in the community. In 1989 they were the first couple named by the Burlingame Lions Club as citizens of the year. In 1995 having dedicated five decades to The Studio Shop, John and Martha gradually retired from the management of The Studio Shop while their daughter, Janet Martin, and her husband, Carl, took a more active role in the business, although the Bensons still remain involved in the business. Most afternoons they come into the shop, John to join frames at his work bench and Martha to attend to the bookkeeping. In 1993, John, Martha, and their daughter, Janet Martin, were all that were necessary to keep the business running smoothly, but it soon became necessary to expand, hiring employees and eventually bringing Janet’s husband, Carl Martin into the family business. Kristen Benson, the Benson’s daughter, returned permanently to The Studio Shop as gallery manager, having worked in the family business on and off most of her life. Currently, The Studio Shop supports seven employees, in addition to the family members. As The Studio Shop continued to thrive, it became necessary to expand into a larger space. Last year the shop was moved to its current location at 244 Primrose Road where it boasts a more spacious workshop and an open and well-lit gallery. While The Studio Shop had always carried fine art, the new gallery brought the collection into new focus, highlighting the works of local and international artists. Janet attributes the business’s continued success to the combined efforts of the two generations. “My parents established a great clientele who continue to come back,” she says. “And now their children and sometimes their grandchildren are still coming to The Studio Shop for the friendly and expert service they receive. Our clients over time have become friends, and almost seem like family.” Meanwhile, Janet and Carl have the vision to keep the business moving forward, expanding and allowing it to grow. The Studio Shop now carries extensive framing choices, including thousands of moldings and mat styles and the finest conservation materials. At the same time, Janet and Kristen have enlarged The Studio Shop’s selection of art, seeking the variety and quality necessary to appeal to decorators and serious art collectors alike. Another contributing factor to their success is that they carry on the Benson’s tradition of being active in the community. Janet is a member of the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce, as her father was before her, and The Studio Shop continues to participate in fund raising activities for local schools; for example, The Studio Shop has underwritten the annual spring art competition and exhibition Art on the Line for the past three years, which benefits local school art programs. “We’re a part of this community in a way a franchise or corporation could never be,” Janet says. “We try to be good people—good to our clients and employees.” Most importantly, Janet says, they like what they do and that reflects in their interactions with the public and the quality of work they produce. “Most of the time when clients come in Kristen or I are here to help them, not hired help.” The sisters are able to provide excellent customer service, drawing from their many years of experience in framing, art and design. “We grew up in this business,” Kristen says. “As children we didn’t get an allowance; we came in and worked in the shop for money.” Kristen adds: “Janet’s economic degree and my art degree complement each other in the running of the business.” Failure has never been an option for The Studio. “It’s not just our family that counts on The Studio Shop,” Janet says. “Other families depend on their paycheck, too. Failure has serious repercussions. We’re proud that even though we’re a small business we can provide so many families with income,” says Janet. Janet and Carl’s fifteen year old son Patrick Martin is already interested in the course of the family business, discussing his plans with his parents to put more emphasis on art sales and, perhaps, open up multiple locations one day. The future looks bright for The Studio Shop as a third generation grows up and prepares for its turn at the helm.