* Name: Gannon Art Center
* Location: 3250 Brainerd Road, on the east side of the Missionary Ridge tunnels.
* Products/services: The business primarily does custom framing, but owner Ed Gannon recently has embarked on an expansion of his core business into art supplies and original art by local artists. A gallery fills the front of the store, with a variety of pre-framed paintings for sale. As for the framing side of the business, Gannon helps customers pick from vintage or contemporary frames, mats and inner frames. Gannon also creates shadow boxes for customers who want to display physical items or mementos.
* Age: 40 years old, the business was founded in 1970 by George Little and purchased by E.W. Gannon, father to current owner Ed Gannon.
* Startup investment: $100,000
* Target market: Gannon says his customers, many of whom are second or third generation, come from all over the southeastern United States to enlist his help. He keeps a “wall of shame” filled with stickers from other framing companies.
* Biggest hurdle: Tennessee shut down the Missionary Ridge tunnels two decades ago for an update, and the business almost didn’t survive the loss of customers.
* Biggest reward: “Our customers turn into our friends, and I just love getting to know them,” Gannon said.
* Challenges in the future: Keeping the business in the family
* Lesson learned: Gannon wishes he had opened other locations earlier in his career.
* Five-year goal: He would like to see the number of customers grow, and would like to continue to grow the art supply and art gallery side of the business.
– Compiled by staff writer Ellis Smith, esmith@timesfreepress.com