NOW

Joe Asmael, the owner of NYC Frames, is an artist as well as a fine frame craftsman. Art has always been a part of his life, as he gained an early exposure to it by observing his father, who got into the framing business a year before he was born. "Because I was exposed to art all of my life, I never studied it, I just experimented and grew fond of it." Joe's parents and sisters emigrated to New York from Turkey in the 70s looking for a "better life.” Joe's father, who made furniture in Turkey, always loved creating things with his hands. After working for someone else for years, his dad decided to start his own business in the late 80s. He remained in his UES  location until retiring in 2015. At one point, both Joe and his father were operating frame shops at the same time, but even as Joe was spreading his wings, he and his dad were always sharing both their inventory and their craftsmanship with one another.

Today, Joe offers custom framing for "absolutely anything you can think of," including prints, sports memorabilia, Ketubahs, and photographs. He promises a quick turn around - even in a day or two - as everything is done on the premises. The shop offers a large variety of modern art in the way of prints and paintings, and sometimes you can find a few pieces of Joe's own work.

THEN

The Metallic Lathers Union building was designed by architects De Rose & Cavalieri and built in 1931, replacing three-story tenement buildings. Though described at construction as a “two-story brick office and stores,” the building housed a 2nd floor dance hall, with a capacity of 120 people. Since the 1970s the second story has been the home of Local 46, an Ironworkers Union originally established in 1896 as the Metallic Lathers’ Union, giving the building its name. The small stores on the ground floor have hosted many different types of shops, from barber shops and nail salons to high-end boutiques and art stores and galleries.