Framing a Nobel Prize and being trusted to preserve precious family memories are just some of the many highlights for the retiring owners of Henna Street Picture Framers.
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Stuart Prince and Heather Martin-Trigg have sold the business they've operated for the past 22 years and said on their last day in the shop it was bittersweet.
"It's been good," Mr Prince said. "We've made a lot of friends."
Their highlights include framing Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet's Nobel Prize and original works by artist Hans Heysen.
"We've seen lots of lovely artworks and a lot of the things we've framed have been people's special memories which is really nice," Ms Martin-Trigg said.
"It's been a good fun business," she said. "When people came in they were happy to be here. They've come because they've bought something overseas or they have a photograph or something special they want to have framed. That's been one of the really good parts of it."
Mr Prince said framing began as a hobby, then as something he did for friends and later become his occupation.
He said every job was different and enjoyed seeing the ever-changing pieces of art and other works come across the front counter.
"I'm retiring," Mr Prince said. "I'm going to spend the next 10 years decluttering my garage - it's going to take me that long. If I'm still alive after that I'll sit down and have a red wine and think about what I'm going to do," he laughed.
Their French bulldogs Reno and Shelby have been as much a part of the business as what the owners have, with customers dropping in just to pat the dogs and say hi.
The couple is looking forward to spending more time at home in Warrnambool, visiting their holiday home in Penshurst and "not being governed by shop hours".
They have some holidays planned, heading to the US for a six-week road trip and then have a couple of smaller getaways organised for later in the year.
The couple said they wanted to see the business continue and were pleased to see Warrnambool siblings Jack and Ella Webb take over from Tuesday.
"That was something that was really important," Ms Martin-Trigg said. "We anguished over what to do and then when Ella and Jack came along they were the right people.
"They're keen and interested in the art work and interested in the clients. They've spent the past few weeks shadowing Stuart and meeting clients as they've come in and have really got to know how everything works."
Ms Webb, an artist and art teacher has worked at the picture framers for the past seven years. She will continue to operate Loop Studio from the premises as she's done for almost four years. Mr Webb is a carpenter with 15 years experience and has his own furniture making business on the side.
The pair said it was a great opportunity to buy an established business with a loyal customer base. "It combines what we both do," Ms Webb said.
"Everyone knows Stuart. He frames the most interesting work in town," she said. "I've always loved working here and it's nice to be able to learn from Stuart and Heather," she said.
The pair plan to provide the same service customers have come to expect and look forward to working with customers' treasured family pieces in the future.
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