Silver Jubilee for A Silver Lining: 25 years on Larchmont
OWNER Gary Fuss marks 25 years of custom framing.
A Silver Lining owner Gary Fuss is celebrating his shop’s 25th anniversary, which is often marked, fittingly, as the silver anniversary.
When asked about the milestone, Fuss told the Chronicle that he feels “humbled” to still be open and doing business after such a terrible year.
When Fuss reopened his Larchmont Boulevard doors last May, after closing for the pandemic, he says that he was uncertain what it would mean for his custom framing shop.
“It was like a really long vacation, but not a good one,” Fuss says with a laugh. “We were starting all over again.”
That’s when his phone began to ring. “Customers that I have had for generations wanted to know how they could help,” he says. “God bless this community.”
It was the community atmosphere in Larchmont that attracted Fuss more than two decades ago. At that time, he was working for a framing company after relocating to Los Angeles from New York City in 1987. He had aspirations to open his own shop, and one day while eating lunch on Larchmont Boulevard, he realized it was the perfect place for him to put down roots.
Fuss first opened his shop at 121 N. Larchmont Blvd. on Feb. 5, 1996, where he operated until 2007. When his landlord threatened to double his rent, Fuss needed to find a new, more affordable space.
That’s when a customer gave him a penny — that had been blessed by Pope John Paul — for good luck on the search. Six days later Joane Pickett called to enquire if he’d like to lease her space at 115 N. Larchmont Blvd., where he’s been ever since. And that penny, according to Fuss, it’s become a family heirloom after it was sent back east to Fuss’ brother, who was fighting cancer at the time. “He survived!” says Fuss.
Reflecting on the past 25 years, Fuss says that he has many fond memories, not least of which is the time that he did custom framing work for former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley, which included a letter signed by Babe Ruth.
“I have so many great memories here on Larchmont,” Fuss says. “When I first opened shop here, there was literally a butcher and baker on the Boulevard. Those shops are gone, but I hope Larchmont keeps that same charm.”
As for the future, Fuss says that you can find him and his longtime associate Jorge Rodriguez, who has been with Fuss since the beginning, working in the Larchmont studio.
Visit asilverlinings.com.
Category: People