In 1979, artist Lea Colie Wight founded Main Street Gallery in a tiny storefront here on Main Street in Manasquan, NJ. She set out to showcase local artists from Monmouth and Ocean Counties, as well as begin custom framing for the local community. As the Jersey Shore’s population grew, so did the shop, which expanded two more times and became one of the area’s largest galleries and custom framers.
Lea hired the current owner, Jennifer Burger, in 1995, just days after she graduated college with a degree in Fine Art. Jennifer worked beside Lea for almost 7 years as a picture framer and quickly fell in love with the shop, her customers, and of course, the art of framing.
Shortly after getting married, Jennifer moved to Montpelier, Vermont in 2001, and was immediately hired at one of Vermont’s best custom frame shops. She furthered her knowledge of art preservation and conservation methods under the guidance of her boss and colleagues for 12 years.
Incredibly homesick for the Jersey Shore, she began planning a move back home. It was just around this time, in early 2013, that Lea (still one of her dearest friends) proposed the idea of Jennifer buying the shop. And that is just what happened.
After 34 years as owner of Main Street Gallery, Lea retired in 2013 to focus solely on her painting and teaching career at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia, and Jennifer bought the shop that May.
Main Street Gallery continues to grow and evolve. Fresh, new artists share wall space with established Jersey favorites. New framing techniques and materials are tested and shared. We stay current on the latest interior trends for your frame options and color choices.
But there are two things that have not changed at all – we continue to have exceptionally high standards and expectations for all the picture framing we do, and – even more importantly – we really, truly enjoy spending time with our customers. You make coming to work each day exciting and fun!
