We always love when people who didn’t even know Havner’s existed stop in the shop. This week, Adelino Ramirez, a traveling photographer and all-around interesting guy, visited the workshop and had a conversation with Charlie about our story and place and what it means to live a curious life. It’s easy to live in the weeds with all the moving parts that make a business go, but it is such a nice reprieve to get to talk about the part of the shop that keeps us showing up- our story.

I know you’ve all heard our story, but in case you haven’t, here’s an abbreviated version. Charlie is the third-generation Havner to own and operate the frame shop. He put his first frame together for a customer at eleven years old and grew up learning the trade in our Campbell Street shop. After a stint in banking, Charlie joined the frame shop full time and has never looked back. Trista (a former high school history teacher) joined him in 2018 when our youngest went to kindergarten. Together, they assumed ownership of the shop in January 2020 (absolute perfect timing) and moved the shop to our downtown location in 2021.

When we moved, we knew we wanted to add a gallery. Art is a powerful vehicle for community and we wanted to facilitate community however we could. It is an honor to host local artists for solo shows. It’s an honor to curate community shows and host openings and amplify the amazing art that Jackson has to offer.

These days, you’ll catch us using the same techniques and machinery that Charlie’s grandfather, Mr. Ray, used in 1977. The same care and quality that our customers have enjoyed for almost 50 years goes into every piece that leaves our shop. We really could not be more proud of what we have built and what we are continuing to build at 105 North Church Street in our beloved Downtown Jackson, TN.