Comings & Goings: Basements, frames and photography

This basement design by Finished Basement Co. was featured on Houzz, an internet-based site dubbed by CNN as "the Wikipedia of interior and exterior design." | Submitted

Updated: January 31, 2013 6:34AM

If one of your New Year’s resolutions includes fixing up your house for your own comfort or to increase its selling value, look no further. Finished Basement Company recently opened in downtown Naperville at 208 S. Main St.

The sublevel space has seen a number of stores come and go. What better business to take over this space than one specializing in basement remodels.

Finished Basement Company’s use of the formerly desolate sublevel space just might dazzle you. And they have a key award from the HBA association to show for it, too.

Patrick Condon founded the business 15 years ago in Denver, Colo., and opened in Minneapolis, Minn., 10 years ago. Naperville is only their third location.

Condon says he chose Naperville because it is “the hub of the suburbs” and for its central location. He says the many things to do downtown help, too.

Condon remembers stumbling on the location while scouting the Chicagoland area.

“And there it was. An empty basement space. Just meant to be,” he says.

It’s not the first time fate or coincidence have steered the course of Condon’s future. Fresh out of college with a degree in history, a friend hired him for a house remodel. Soon after he realized he had discovered an untapped niche in the construction industry.

“Nobody seems to specialize in basements only,” he says. So he did.

Visit www.finishedbasement.com to be wowed by their award-winning basement transformations.

The design team of Kirsten Keller, project manager, and Julie Labacchi, designer, lead the staff of general contractors. They are hiring experienced contractors to meet demand.

Free consultations are by appointment only, but walk-ins are welcome when the design team is in the house.

“If the sandwich-board is out, we’re open,” Condon says.

Custom framing shop moving

Art & Frame of Naperville is moving from 702 W. Fifth Ave. to a high-traffic location at 115 E. Ogden Ave., suite 115. It opens Jan. 2.

“We are moving to the corner of Ogden and Washington, by Jewel-Osco, where we’ll have better visibility,” says Agata Blaszkowska, owner for the past 10 years and Downers Grove resident.

The family-owned business has served Naperville and surrounding communities, residential and commercial customers, with custom-made frames, framed and unframed art, and some Chicago and Naperville art and posters since 1972.

“There is truly no comparison when it comes to our quality of service. Every piece the customer walks out with will be special, a master piece,” Blaszkowska says.

All vendors are handpicked for quality and high-end materials, but frames are assembled in the shop.

“All our work is done on the premises, nothing is shipped away. No scratched or chipped frame is allowed,” says Blaszkowska about what distinguishes her business from major chains. Visit the store to find that perfect frame and choose from a variety of materials, styles and finishes.

Alicias Photography moves downtown

After a little more than two years at 5th Avenue Station, Alicias Photography is moving to 32 W. Chicago Ave. in the heart of downtown Naperville.

“It just makes sense after Raffi left and offices moving in,” explains Alicia Johnson, owner and longtime Naperville resident.

Alicias Photography offers upscale studio, on location and in-home photography sessions specializing in newborn, maternity, family, children and senior photography.

Johnson collaborates with Room 363 and Little Luxuries to frequently decorate the studio for variety to returning customers.

“They get to see their images in actual size over a mantel piece in a private setting. It makes it so much easier to choose the right size and image,” explains Johnson of the state-of-the art technology in her viewing facility.

Call 630-961-5777 to schedule an appointment and ask about specials. Be sure to ask about the stylist who has worked with Oprah, especially popular for senior pictures.

Know of a business coming to or leaving Naperville? Contact Daina Saleh at
dainasunbiz@gmail.com

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