Rivertown Galleries: 30 Years in Byron and a New Chapter Ahead
Rivertown Galleries was part of the fabric of Byron for 30 years. If you were just an occasional customer, it might have surprised you to find that the store at 431 Boler Road was cleared out. Last year, owners Anna and Brian Ritchie decided to close their Byron doors and semi-retire. They’re still in the framing game but their new workdays allow them more time for travel, leisure, and to visit with family and friends. The Ritchies decided not to renew their lease when it was time. Rivertown Galleries
In order to semi-retire, Rivertown relocated to Wonderland Business Park, where the Ritchies operate out of their wholesale frame supplier, Chops, three days a week. On their off days, the couple enjoys boating, cottaging, and fishing, and spending time with their grandsons, aged seven and 11. They also have close family in Nova Scotia, and with a little extra wiggle room in their schedules, can extend their visits to the East Coast. As Brian says, “Enjoying family and friends is a priority these days.” Anna and Brian hope Byron customers will visit them at the new location. “We’re open Thursday and Friday from 10 am until 4:30 pm by appointment, and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, first come, first served. There’s more information on our website, www.rivertowngalleries.com. “ On the website, you’ll find a list of the artists whose work they carry, including prints by AY Jackson, Albert J. Casson, Lawren Harris, J.E.H. Macdonald, Frederick Varley, Franklin Carmichael, and Tom Thomson (Group of Seven), and many others. And they highlight the wide variety of framing and art mounting that they do, including shadow boxes, sports jersey framing, and consulting on home or office decorating. “Thank you Byron Villager for the opportunity to give everyone a bit more info about our new business location.”
shuttered at the end of the year, after three decades serving Byron and area with framing and original art and prints. The couple, married 47 years, has been working together for more than 40, and continue to do so in their new location, albeit with fewer hours. They had already been in the art publishing and framing business for more than a decade before buying the existing Byron gallery (Dawn’s Art) owned by Ed Mitchell, who stayed on as their framer. Rivertown Galleries became the go-to framer and art source for the Byron community. “We met a lot of great people who became regular and repeat clients, and our friends”, says Brian. “We feel that because of our framing experience and friendly attitude, word of mouth spread about our good service and wide range of art. Many customers referred friends and business clients to us.” The couple employed two long-time part-time staff in the frame shop. And they made the 35-minute commute every day from their home in Sparta. They’re grateful to Byron patrons for supporting their small business for so many years. “Everyone was special to us. We enjoyed our 30 years in Byron and will dearly miss being there.”
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