NORWAY — Bruce and Adrienne Little have been all around the nation, but have chosen to make Maine their home. Bruce grew up in Pennsylvania, went to college in Arizona and began working in the printing industry in Texas. Adrienne worked in retail in Boston before going into education, and works as an educational technician with the Oxford Hills School District. The couple currently run Frost Farm Gallery, an art gallery, custom framing and printing shop, and antique and gift store all in one on Pike’s Hill Road.

Ages: Both 53

Bruce, what sort of duties did you have during your first job in the printing industry? All of the less-than-glamorous ones. Character builders. I was a pressman’s helper, but I worked with good lead pressmen. I fell in love with the trade, and often spent my off-hours at the plant.

Adrienne, how did you go from retail work to educational work? I wanted to be home with my boys when there was no school. Also, I could take them to and from school with me and didn’t need a sitter to look after them, so it seemed like it would work out and it did.

How did you meet? We actually used to work together a number of years ago. I was running a printing company and I hired Adrienne as a part-time worker at the Oxford Group. Adrienne left the printing company, and I left not long after my wife passed away. We really didn’t stay in touch in those years, but found each other in 1999. We went to a Seadogs game, then Old Orchard Beach and then … well the rest is history.

Bruce, why did you decide to come to Maine? We were a young family living in Tucson (with his first wife). Even though we loved and always lived in the University area, the city was just getting a bit too large for us. I responded to an ad in a national printing trade magazine that said “printers come home to Maine.” We did a little research and thought it sounded like the place to be. I flew up to interview for three days — I was scared to death. But the corporate team that I was with was superb. They pretty much wanted me for my skills before I got here, they just wanted to see if I fit with their team. Weirdest interview I have ever had in my life. I finally asked, on the third day, “When are you going to make a decision?” They said, “If you want to come up, we’re done interviewing!” Three weeks later we were in Maine.

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What was the most noticeable difference between Tucson and Maine? Everything. I interviewed in early May, and only packed shorts and T-shirts. Big mistake. Of course small-town life is different, and the pace is slower. Just what we were looking for.

Why did you two decide to open your own business? Framing vintage and antique prints has always been on the “bucket list.” It combines my love of printing with our love of art and fine craftsmanship. At first we traveled to gift and antique shows, selling in northern New England. In our first year, we did 27 shows. Four years ago, we opened the gallery. Now we do only two to three shows a year.

What was the most enjoyable thing about the travel shows? People, without a doubt. You get to meet the most interesting folks. We also combined business and pleasure a lot — the traveling was fun.

The most difficult? Setting up and tearing down. Our products and displays are quite heavy.

Adrienne, is your work with the gallery similar at all to your former retail jobs? It is very similar in that I get to purchase and arrange how I want to set up displays with merchandise, but the products are very different. Instead of only new merchandise, we incorporate our love of antiques and vintage items. We fill the shop with vintage costume jewelry, linens, vases and more, all purchased at auctions and estate sales. You never know what you will find at those sales. Just recently we purchased a primitive still life and a turn-of-the-century engraving, both buried under regular old household stuff.

How has the business changed over the years? Shoppers are more considerate, more careful with their artwork. They realize that it is an investment.

What do you feel is the best work you have produced? Really, it’s our four boys: Eric, Jamie, Sam and Colin. But on the business side, we are really proud of an ongoing local corporate installation project that we are working on.


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