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.
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.
"The factory of J. B. Frame & Son, which is wholly family owned and operated has been in existence for just on one hundred years. The production of footwear mainly involves heavy lines. About 10 people are employed in the factory, all specialising in different areas of boot manufacture.
The women in the closing room prepare the leather uppers for heavy industrial use. The way in which they stitch the leather and punch eyelets dictates the boot design. An appropriate last (or mould) must then be fitted. An insole which is rock and water proof is then attached to the entire sole by tacks and cement. This is the basic method undertaken by the majority of footwear manufacturers. Some of the lasts still used by J. B. Frame & Son date back to the war. Because the design of work boots have changed very little over the years, the lasts can still be used today. This is not the same however with women's fashion shoes. The lasts for them change every season, to keep up with the latest fashions.
After the upper has taken shape the last is then removed. A mid-sole is then joined with brass screw wire to the insole. This gives the boot tremendous strength. A rubber sole Is first cemented and then reinforced by screws to the midsole. This method is designed so that the boot can withstand the heaviest of work. This is just one of the processes carried out by footwear manufacturers. There are hundreds of different approaches, hence the many varieties of shoes available.
J. B. Frame & Son Ltd have always employed staff who have remained with them for long periods of time. Clarence South (74), who worked for the company for 57 years, is a fine example of this. Retiring two years ago because of illness, "Clarey," as he was fondly referred to in the factory, began his apprenticeship in 1925 earning 15 shillings a week. Upon retiring he had worked through four generations of Frames. Over the years he learnt the many facets of footwear manufacture, beginning when everything was made by hand. However, today boot making techniques have changed remarkably, and Clarey would be one of few tradesmen today who could make a boot by hand. During World War II he was required to make boots for the soldiers. He remembers having to have a pair of boots completed every hour and talking and smoking was prohibited."
"Having existed for nearly 100 years under the same name, J. B. Frame & Son is now employing the 4th generation of the Frame family. The founder, Mr John Brown Frame, originally the Manager of A. & T. Inglis, formed a partnership with Mr Craigie and Mr Thompson, the object being to manufacture ladies and gentlemen's footwear. With the amalgamation of the partners names the business was to be known as "Craigie, Frame & Thompson.' In later years this partnership was to be dissolved and each member established their own footwear manufacturing business. J. B. Frame and Son is the only surviving factory left today from that original three.
Currently working at the factory. shop are seven members of the Frame family. Peter and Jack who are third generation served their apprenticeships at the factory learning the skills of the footwear trade. Mike and Greg, twin sons of Peter and Judith Frame, undertook university studies, graduating as Bachelors of Commerce. Under today's standards their qualifications are more beneficial for the family business than serving an apprenticeship at the factory, like their father. Murray, son of Jack and Noreen, is a fourth generation Frame also employed at the factory/shop. He undertook an apprenticeship in carpentry, and was responsible for all the recent extensions at J. B. Frame & Son.
This is the third time they have extended. The space available for retailing is governed by the factory. This latest extension has only been made possible because of the relocation of the warehouse, which is now situated on the other side of Hanover Street. The Frame family are conscious of the need to maintain high quality wares along with personal attention. This is the kind of service Frames are renowned for, and the reason they have built up such a large clientele over the years.
As a service to their customers Frames will now be open on Saturday mornings between the hours of 9 a.m. -12.30 p.m."
On orders over $99, plus easy 30-day returns.
Shoe sizing can be tricky so we're here to help! Check out the size guide below, or for any questions feel free to contact us.
Not sure which size to go for? Try our size recommendation service.
Wrong size? Purchases can be returned within 30 days for a refund or exchange for an alternative size or style. For more info visit our Help page.
