Business & Tech
Bell Studio Relocates on Lincoln, Blames Southport Takeover
The owner of the new Therieau Art and Frame says while Southport Avenue migrates toward national chains, Lincoln Avenue reminds him of the street a decade ago.
The ever-changing streetscape on Southport Avenue is making another transition as Bell Studio packs up and heads to Lincoln Avenue, rebranding itself as Therieau Art and Frame.
Pronounced “Therry-O,” the custom framing business is relocating from 3428 N. Southport Ave. to North Center at 3831 N. Lincoln Ave.
And business owner Paul Therieau says the choice to move has to do with the influx of big-box stores coming to Southport, something the owner of neighboring business Safari Cup has stated multiple times in the past.
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“I’ve been on Southport for 12 years, and Lincoln kind of reminds me of Southport 12 years ago,” Therieau laughed. “Southport is just being taken over by all these national chains. It’s going to be like a strip mall, and that’s not really my kind of place.”
Safari Cup joins Bell Studio, with the local coffee shop’s storefront going up for sale in early March. High-end ice cream retailer Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is rumored to fill its space, but the company has yet to confirm.
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Therieau says he received word from the building’s owner that it will soon be redeveloped for a new tenant, but the owner is “really tight lipped about it.”
With a fresh name and a new North Center location, Therieau says he hopes he can resume what he started more than 10 years ago in Lake View. Slated to open in early May, the new storefront will continue doing what it does best.
“I’m hoping all my people will follow me over here—I have over 10,000 customers on my list,” Therieau said. “I would like for them to visit me over here. I like the mom-and-pop community vibe on Lincoln. I’m feeling positive about it.”
The Southport storefront was once rumored to transform into a Forever Yogurt location, but the company’s franchise CEO later told Patch the deal fell through.
And while Southport may be rapidly changing, Therieau says he hopes to call North Center home for years to come.
“I’m just hoping I can keep my customers and make some new ones,” he said. “I’m in it for the long haul.”
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