Shop Small, Shop Troy Series: J. Gernon Picture Framing & Fine Art

Owner: Jon Gernon

Address: 182 River St, Troy, NY

How long have they been in business in Troy?

Jon will celebrate two years at his current location this December, but his experience goes back over three decades. Many in Troy will remember him from his years at Clement’s, where he honed his craft before the shop closed. Jon is a lifelong Troy native who has continued the tradition of quality framing in the city he calls home.

What do you sell?

While custom framing makes up about 90% of their work, the storefront also doubles as a gallery with 6–8 exhibitions each year. The gallery primarily showcases local and regional artists, while also introducing select work from national and international creators. Jon focuses on featuring artists with a unique voice, those not currently shown in other galleries across the region.

What item would they like to push this holiday season?

This holiday season, Jon is encouraging everyone to think custom framing. To meet gift-giving timelines, he recommends stopping into the shop early—turnaround is typically 3–5 weeks, though some projects can be completed in as little as 2 weeks.

Jon also invites art lovers and gift-givers alike to explore the gallery. He believes art makes an incredibly meaningful gift—and when you purchase from his gallery, you’re supporting both a local small business and the artists whose work he features.

What makes Troy special to you?

“I’ve been here my whole life, so I know everyone. Troy feels like a small town with all the culture and energy of a city. There’s just a lot of cool stuff happening here.”

Why you should shop small this holiday season?

Jon says now is more important than ever to support small businesses. With rising costs from tariffs and inflation, many independent shops are feeling the strain. “If small places go away, all we’ll have left are big corporate stores,” he notes.

Shopping small also means finding unique, one-of-a-kind items—pieces you simply won’t see anywhere else. “There’s nowhere else you can get these things,” Jon says.

And most importantly, your dollars stay here. “When you shop small, you’re supporting your community. The money you spend comes back here, to Troy.”