A scenic setting surrounds the entrance of the Hall of Frames located at 312 N. Sixth St. Sara Zahn pictured above and her husband Tim Zahn own the business. Every art piece presents a new experience at the Hall of Frames. Each picture or item that customers bring to the shop receives individual and professional attention. The service involves regular framing, ready-made frames, and shadow boxes. Hall of Frames also offers custom aviation framing that includes wood frames, nameplates, patches and photos and flight charts as matting.

Tim and Sara Zahn bought the business four years ago and moved to a unique building on Jan. 4, 2010 located at North Sixth St. The couple renovated, upgraded and painted the building inside and outside. The sand colored building beautifies that area with its clean creative high-end appearance. A canopy of peach, aqua and tan colored stripes accents the entrance of the door. Bright pink and red geraniums deck the outside landscaping.

Sara Zahn stands besides an area that displays the Hall of Frames sign. (Photos by Gloria Bigger-Cantu) Sara Zahn said they frame paintings, photographs, diplomas and needlework. Many of their customers want personal and sentimental items framed in shadow boxes. Recently, they created a shadow box that displayed two autographed Astros bats, and a signed ball with a baseball card and a team photo.

Hall of Frames has a large military following and every week the business gets calls from Maryland, California and Florida. Some of these customers were previously stationed here. They want to purchase one of the items in the military section. Sara and Tim believe Kingsville has a lot to offer with Texas A&M University and Naval Air Station Kingsville. Customers travel from Corpus Christi, Falfurrias, Hebbronville and surrounding areas for framing work.

“We do our best to preserve people’s memories for them,” Sara said.

One area in the shop features samples of aviation framed pictures, aviation gift items such as jewelry from “On a Wing and A Prayer.” Aviation custom framed aviation art featuring Joe Milich, Jim Stovall, and Squadron prints is showcased in this area.

Candles, mirrors, and other decorative home items are also available.

Some of the customers have brought in unique items to be framed and Hall of Frames accommodates their wishes.

A man from San Antonio once brought a bow and arrow quiver that was signed by Geronimo and was placed in a shadow box that contained intricate beading. One customer wanted a BB gun and a glass eye displayed in a shadow box.

“I think the most challenging work I did was framing an antique wedding dress,” said Sara. “They only wanted the bodice framed, and I had to cut some of the skirt.”

“This is all consuming and not a regular job,” she said. “We love it and often stay late in the evening and work on Saturday and Sunday.” Tim doubles as a chemical plant operator, as well, as a picture framer.

Before the couple bought the business from their friend Lee Nelms, Sara quit her job with the Kingsville Independent School District finance department where she worked or six years. She wanted to learn the intricacies of the framing business. Nelms opened the Hall of Frames 25 years ago. Nelms asked Tim to make barn wood frames for the business.

My husband has a passion for this work, and makes all the barn wood frames,” she said

The Zahns continue to learn more about the framing trade and have attended framing classes in Atlanta and Baltimore.

“We get motivated when we see new molding and mats and what’s new in the business,” Sara said.

The couple have invested heavily in their business, but it has been well worth the effort. Her vision for Kingsville is to become the next Fredericksburg . She has thought about having a farmer’s market near the downtown area.

Both Sara and Tim derive their talents from their mothers who were artistic.

“I remember as a child sitting in front of the TV watching my mother doing macramé and needlework,” said Sara.

Her mother also possessed a flair for decorating that Sara inherited because her shop features plants, colorful furniture, and artwork artistically displayed. Her decorating talent is also evident in the home, built in 1930 that the couple bought and renovated.

The renovation took 10 years and was one of the homes in the 2004 historical tour.

The couple moved here 23 years ago. Tim graduated from Riviera High School and Sara graduated from Gregory Portland High School. She has been involved in other businesses that included owning an exercise studio and catering service.

She has some suggestions for people who want to own a business.

“If you are going into business you must love what you are doing because it takes lots and lots of hours.”

Business owners need to have a hands on approach, maintain books daily and be aware of costs.

Tim and Sara work at the business that also includes two full time and one part time employee. Buddy Smith, who has an art degree, serves as manager for the business where he has worked for 24 years.

Sara touts Kingsville, as a place that has great potential and can become another tourist attraction like Fredericksburg or Gruene.

“We want so much for Kingsville,” she said.