Excel Art & Framing Store
38 Third Ave., nr. 9th St.; 212-982-8080
Novice art buyers and poster enthusiasts face a frustrating predicament when a frame ends up costing many times more than the work itself. Some schlep to Ikea, where rickety, achingly unoriginal models cost a mere $25. But if you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, not to mention custom-made, turn to the East Village’s Excel Art & Framing Store, a favorite of burgeoning Lower East Side galleries and local artists. Cheap is sort of a relative term here (expect to shell out upwards of $150 for any decent-size wooden frame), but you get a lot of craftsmanship for your dollar. Plus you can be fairly certain the frame will outlast anything you’ve ever bought at Ikea.