Delano business that’s not seeing a benefit from Riverfront Stadium is moving
John Maida likes to call his L’image shop in Delano “the best little hidden secret in town.” Of course, he doesn’t like that it’s mostly a secret, though.
So, for the third time in three decades, he’s moving the business.
L’image, which he said is French for “the image,” is what Maida calls a modern alternative to framing.
“Our core business started off with the artist and photographer in mind.”
He said he’s in the business of making them look good.
Maida started the business out of his house in 1993.
Then he moved to Towne East Square from 1999 to 2017 and then to 615 W. Douglas in June 2017.
The store offers artists the ability to scan their original works for their portfolios or reproduction.
Maida said he can process and print images on photo and fine art papers.
He also has traditional framing services in addition to alternative ones, such as plaque mounts that Maida said are washable and have UV protection. He also has acrylic face mounts that he said add depth to images.
There also are washable and UV-protected canvas gallery wraps and HD metal prints where Maida said ink is infused onto aluminum panels that are waterproof and scratch resistant.
“Pretty much everything we do is good for 200-plus years,” he said.
When he moved to Delano, Maida said, “The city was trying to make Delano the artsy area.”
Instead, he said it turned into more of an area of locally owned stores, “which is cool.”
“It’s a cool small-town feel.”
Except he said there weren’t lots of artistic businesses to create a common draw.
When Riverfront Stadium was built, Maida said the city touted it as a way to get a lot of foot traffic. However, he said that didn’t translate into walk-in traffic for his store.
“It’s great if you’re a restaurant or a bar, but for the rest of us not so much.”
That and some issues with his landlord are prompting the move.
Maida already owns a production facility for his business at 970 N. Santa Fe, near Ascension Via Christi St. Francis.
“That’s where we make everything.”
That part of his business is called Laminage Products.
Maida said the entryway has an open reception area at the front that he’s never utilized but now will for showroom space.
L’image will remain in its current space until the end of January and celebrate a grand opening at the new space on Feb. 1.
Look for more information then.
