Prairie Lee Frame Closes in Des Plaines

After more than 80 years in business, Prairie Lee Frame closed its doors for the last time at the end of March.

“This comes with great sadness to say that we will be closing the store at the end of this month,” stated Mark Skoczynski, owner of the frame shop, in a letter posted on the front door, dated March 1.

The full-service frame shop opened at Prairie Avenue and Lee Street in Des Plaines in 1929, according to Prairie Lee Frame’s website, and originally sold wallpaper and paint, in addition to framing.

“Words cannot describe how proud I am of this company and how much we appreciated all your support, but the time has come to move on,” Skoczynski stated. “We leave in good standing and on our terms.”

Prairie Lee Frame’s phone number was disconnected, and attempts to contact Skoczynski were unsuccessful at publication time. Skoczynski began working at the frame shop when he was in high school in the 1980’s, according to the company’s website, and owned it for approximately 20 years, according to his letter.

“We will start traveling a different path,” Skoczynski stated.

A picture of Prairie Lee Frame was featured on Des Plaines Patch in May 2012.

Updated, 10 p.m. on May 6:

Skoczynski stated in an email to Patch that he was semi-retired and ready “to travel new directions.”

“Thirty plus years in the business, it was time to get out,” Skoczynski stated.

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