montreal art & custom framing
Our story begins…
From salesperson to manager to owner, Caroline has truly worked up the ladder to success. Once a chain of 11 stores, Affiche en Tête has certainly seen it’s days and it’s locations. However, after all the years there is only one Affiche en Tête left standing. Caroline’s current position in the business is to be described as a “happy accident”.
It was during the popular side-walk sale on Mont-Royal St. where Mathieu “came into the picture” (art pun intended). What began as just helping out during the special events eventually evolved to Mathieu’s full-time participation in the business.
So between Caroline’s impressive experience, and Mathieu’s charming personality, they make a fantastic duo providing admirable customer service at…
Affiche En Tête
Montreal, Quebec
romantic side note: Caroline and Mathieu got married right in the shop surrounded by family, friends, and a thousand handmade paper cranes. SO sweet!
So what does the shop provide?
When Caroline took ownership of the business Affiche en Tête, she looked to apply her own values within the structure. She began switching more and more to local businesses, and local artists. They now support approximately 30 artists, a large majority being local. Even their ready-made frames come from nearby Boucherville, Quebec.
What they are mainly known for is custom framing. They work with you to insure that you get the most fitting frame for your feature item. Their ‘master-framer’ has been framing for 35 years and is said to “work magic”.
Custom framing isn’t just for photos however; Affiche en Tête has framed all sorts of things
- Hockey jerseys
- Seashells
- Shoes
- An 18th century pipe
- A telegraph machine
- A straight razor
- and more!
Besides custom framing and the in-store artwork, the shop also offers digital printing, custom printing and plaque mounting.
Plaque mounting is an economical alternative to tailor-made framing and is well suited to paper reproductions of all sizes. The process involves gluing on a wooden board. A laminating film is then deposited on the work, all heated and pressed to obtain a durable and easy to maintain product without the need for a window or frame. – Sourced from Affiche en Tête website
Why is supporting local important to them?
Caroline and Mathieu do a great job of educating their clients about the artists that they support. All around the store you will find small information cards about the artists and where they are from. Besides supporting them in the store, they also do so outside of the store. Caroline doesn’t believe in exclusivity. She wants to see the artists grow and help them develop so she always does her best to pass on their names.
Supporting local creates community and relationships. When you know who you’re buying from, and where it’s coming from, you can build trust between vendor and consumer. Caroline and Mathieu have built long-lasting relationships with many of their clients, and have even watched some of their children grow-up. They believe in being holistic about the process in order to provide real quality products for the people who come to support them.
“If you could have a coffee/beer with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?”
Mathieu; “Carl Sagan. Wow, If I could have an interview with Carl Sagan.. The man was such an optimist, yet very much a realist. He always believed in the goodness living deep down inside everyone. So, I’m really happy whenever I come here; every morning I get up and I know what I’m going to be doing. I’m going to be helping people. And I’m going to try to give the best of myself; not just because of my wife, but because people like him existed in the world. And that’s really something to strive for.”
Caroline; “Oh, I’m really impressed with your answer Mathieu! Well, I’d love to have a beer with Tom Waits because I know he would tell stories. Stories of scruffy people, and old junkyards and I think it would be so cool.”
information
Address:
2034 Mont-Royal Ave E,
Montreal, QC H2H 1J6
Hours
Monday – 10:00-18:00
Tuesday – 10:00-18:00
Wednesday – 10:00-18:00
Thursday – 10:00-21:00
Friday – 10:00-19:00
Saturday – 10:00-17:00
Sunday – 12:00-17:00
Don’t forget to leave a comment below!
montreal art & custom framing
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Great work. You really captured the spirit of the store. May your dreams be forever fulfilled.
I love Affiche en Tête not just for their absolutely amazing shop on Av Mont Royal, but for the kind of people they are. They are perhaps the warmest, nicest and kindest people O have ever met in Montreal. They deserve to be in the spotlight, for the work they do, and for the love they show for local arts and local artists. I am so proud to be one of the artists in their store. Lovely article, heartfelt and very well captured the spirit of Affiche en Tête