The Frame family have been supplying shoes from the same spot at 211 Hanover Street, Dunedin for over 100 years, with a commitment to old-school customer care and quality footwear at competitive prices. We reckon we’ve learnt a bit about footwear over the years, so let us help you find the perfect pair. Pop in-store to see us, flick us an email at hello@framesfootwear.co.nz or ring us on 0800 523 726 – we’d love to hear from you.
The present-day store at 211 Hanover Street, Dunedin.
John Brown Frame arrived in Dunedin from Scotland in the 1880s and soon established a footwear manufacturing business – a partnership known as Craigie, Frame & Thompson. By 1901, the partnership had dissolved and J.B. (as he was affectionately known) had established his own business with son Maxwell – J.B. Frame & Son, at 211 Hanover Street, the site of the present-day store.
Maxwell’s sons Peter and Jack eventually joined the business, establishing a small retail side. The fourth generation joined in the early 1980s – Peter’s sons Greg and Mike, and Jack’s son Murray – and the business’ name was updated to Frames Footwear.
Over a hundred years after it all began, a fifth generation joined the ranks. Greg’s three sons Nic, Adam, and Patrick, Mike’s son Tom and daughter Jess, and Mike and Greg’s niece and nephew Amy and Max Nicolson, have all experienced the world of shoe retail. Making sure the business keeps up with the times, Adam and Tom help to maintain the store’s online presence.
Scroll down for a few photos from our history, plus pages from an Otago Daily Times article on our 100th anniversary in 1984.
The Hanover Street entrance circa 1935. The men furthest to the right are Maxwell Frame and his father J.B.
A studio portrait of J. B, taken in 1935.
The factory in 1945. Jack Frame and his father Maxwell.
The factory again in 1945. The gentleman furthest to the right is Clarey South, who worked in the factory for an incredible 57 years! You can read more about Clarey in the newspaper article below.
