 
The Antique and Artisan Center has gained a new tenant in Stamford art world mainstay Samuel Owen Gallery.
Lee Milazzo, co-owner of Samuel Owen along with wife Cindy Milazzo, said the fit is perfect, allowing for more foot traffic and more importantly a clued-in art demographic.
“They see a lot of traffic from all over,” said Milazzo. “We’ve seen our customer base grow. It becomes one-stop shopping. This is the first time they”™ve had a custom framer.”
The Antique and Artisan Center, located on Jefferson Street in Stamford and started in 1996, has become a bastion for art decorators, dealers and collectors on the hunt for antiques.
“The frame store is ideally suited for the center,” said Ron Scinto, co-owner of the center with Mark Candido. “I’ve been friends with Lee for a lot of years. He wanted to take advantage of our retail operation right off of I-95. They add strength to the design services in the antiques design district.”
The Samuel Owen Gallery will hold on to its frame production studio and Poster Restoration Inc., a vintage poster restoration business on Pacific Street.
The Milazzos have taken advantage of the move by establishing Samuel Owen Photography in the recently vacated frame shop space.
According to Milazzo, the photo business will focus on families and children, specializing in black-and-white photography, most often in non-portrait settings.
Nancy Meckel runs the Milazzos’ retail business at the center.
Redevelopment of the South End has resulted in road construction and the relocation of some businesses, but Lee Milazzo said he has been able to retain his customers.
“We’ve seen the neighborhood change for the better,” said Milazzo. “When we came here, there was literally nothing. I can’t wait to see what Harbor Point does; that should dramatically change our business.”
