Thursday, March 06, 2008

This is why I love this business!

March 3, 2008


Marquette Chamber Of Commerce
501 S. Front Street
Marquette, Michigan 49855


To Whom It May Concern,

For the past couple of years, we have been trying to locate a picture, “Sailing the Straits” by Kathleen Chaney Fritz. This print has special meaning to us, and we inquired in shops and galleries, searched the internet, emailed numerous art galleries and framing shops and even contacted the artist hoping to locate one – to no avail.

In July 2007, while traveling in the UP and visiting the Marquette area, we had a really wonderful experience and would like to share it with you. The downtown area was having a sidewalk sale and, while strolling down Washington Street, we came across the “Art of Framing” Store. As usual, we asked if they had the print by Chaney-Fritz. They did not, but the owner Stacie DuWaldt carried customer service a step further. With nothing to gain financially for her business, she continued to offer knowledge and assistance. In the past, she had worked for an art store in Kalamazoo that carried Chaney-Fritz prints and offered to call that store to see if they had “Sailing The Straits”. Being from Grand Rapids, and having already talked with the artist’s husband who lives in the area, we thought it unlikely any print would be found. While we waited, Stacie contacted the Kalamazoo store (at her expense) and, to our amazement, located the picture and had it held for us. Upon returning home, we had it mailed directly to our
house. Thank you Stacie DuWaldt!

The picture has now been framed and hangs in a prominent place in our home. We are thrilled, at long last, to have acquired it; but in addition, it has become a symbol of our Marquette trip (a lovely town with warm people). A place we will surely want to visit again.

Sincerely,

Kaye & Dave Chamberlain
Grand Rapids, MI
Cheboygan, MI

Cc: Stacie DuWaldt
Mayor Tourville

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