Rehoboth Art & Framing opened its doors in June 1998, but its origins were formed on a Sunday afternoon in the Summer of 1996.  At the time, owner Matt Emery and his wife Julie were lying on a beach at the end of a wonderful weekend, not wanting to fight the traffic back to Maryland and go to work the next morning.  Matt was an attorney and Julie an elementary school teacher, both in Howard County, Maryland.  Like many tourists burned out with their jobs, they both wanted to quit their jobs and move to the beach.  Everyone thought they were crazy when they actually did it, especially with two young children.

After tossing around numerous ideas, Matt settled on opening an art supply and framing store modeled after his parents' three stores in Laurel, Maryland.  Like most retail types, the small art retailer has mostly gone the way of the dinosaur, giving way to the big chain stores and online stores.  Notwithstanding this trend, Rehoboth Art & Framing has thrived since its inception.  Its art supply selection and prices are superior to the chain stores and competitive with the online stores.  Its custom framing quality    is unmatched in the area and its prices usually 25-60% less than its competitors, big or small.

The store's selection and pricing are what initially attracts customers. However, its the quality and service that has kept them returning.  Over ninety-five percent of our sales are repeat customers. While the store may be stocked with a lots of “stuff” for artists, we are above all else a service business. 

Matt Emery is the owner/president of Rehoboth Art & Framing.  Formerly an attorney, he founded the business in 1998 when he and his family moved to Rehoboth from Laurel, Maryland.  Matt was raised in the business.  His parents have been in the art supply and picture framing business for fifty years.  Matt does most of the frame building and mat cutting and all work is completed on site.

Julie Emery, Matt's wife, works part-time for the family business.  She fills in at the store when one of the other employees is off and handles most the bookkeeping.

Amy Connor has been the face of the operation since she began in September 1998.  She is in charge of customer relations and specializes in custom framing consultation. In the framing operations, Amy does most of the fittings, stretchings, and assemblies.

Toby Vandiver is a 2005 graduate of the Delaware College of Art & Design.  She specializes in oil painting.  In addition to being a framing consultant, Toby is in charge of inventory control, regular ordering, and special orders.  She has been with us since October 2009.