Summit Frameworks closes after more than 4 decades of business in Clarks Green

CLARKS GREEN — Summit Frameworks, a business that has been located at 111 N. Abington Road since 1980, closed at the end of December 2024 when Charlie Sandercock, the owner, retired.

Sandercock has done repair jobs on broken glass and frames. He has cut custom mats and frames. People have come to him with countless projects throughout the years.

Holly Kyle worked at Summit Frameworks for 30 years.

The building first housed a hardware store owned and operated by Merrit Coon. His son, Willard Coon, took over the store when his father passed away. The hardware store was open for 66 years. The family lived in an apartment over the store. It is now used for storage.

The history of Clarks Green was written in 2014 for the Centennial. This is what it said about the store:

“The store carried a wide variety of merchandise. Earlier advertisements indicate that his stock and trade included agricultural implements, threshers, treadmills, mowing machines, rakes, feed mills, pumps, hardware, tin wares, stoves, wagons, buggies, paint, oil, varnishes, bicycles and even sewing machines.”

The store housed various businesses throughout the years, including an antique store and a children’s clothing store.

Summit Frameworks only occupied two rooms in the building, When the children’s clothing store closed, Summit Frameworks took over the entire building.

Carol Wilkerson had a variety of veteran memorabilia from her husband, Jim’s time in the Air Force. She wanted to preserve it some way for their children. She had no idea how to do this and went to Summit Frameworks for expert assistance.

“Charlie took the time to discuss the project with me and looked at everything I brought. He then worked up an idea and had me come back in to look at it and approve everything before he started the work. He had selected items that would go well together, had suggestions for matting and framing, and was able to show how it would all come together. The end result was better than I could have imagined and will be a family keepsake.”

“I have been doing this for 45 years. It is bittersweet. All the people who came here and supported me in this business. The things they brought in and let me preserve the memories they have and the friendships I made,” said Sandercock.

“Charlie and Summit Frameworks were fixtures in Clarks Green and the Abingtons for decades. The business has been an anchor on North Abington Rd that has served residents and visitors seeking expert crafted frames,” said Keith Williams, a former Clarks Green Borough councilman.

“I loved Charlie’s expertise and artistic vision. If I had gone to a big craft store, I’m afraid I would have worked with someone with much less experience and would have stressed at trying to figure it by myself. Charlie understood both what I wanted to achieve and how to make it happen,” said Wilkerson.

Sandercock is a member of the Professional Picture Framers Association and Abington Business and Professional Association.

In retirement, he will work on his hobbies including woodworking. He will go canoeing and he and his wife, Jaci Sandercock, will visit their daughter, Emily Sandercock, who lives outside of the area.

He will also enjoy spending time with his puppy, Beau.

“This is the end of an era. This is the last independent frame store in the county. There used to be 2 or 3 frame shops in the area, including Taylor’s Hobby. The big box stores aren’t the same. It is a good business to get into. If anybody wants to set up a frame business, come talk to me,” said Sandercock.