Framing the Future of a UES Institution

Eric Mauskopf, President of J. Pocker Frame Store, likes bringing joy to people’s lives.

“The biggest joy is when somebody gives us something of value, whether it’s financial or just something their child made that they love. They leave it with us, and to see the look on their face when they get it back is really priceless.”

His business is celebrating its 100th year, but Mauskopf has been with the company for only its last decade.

J. Pocker was started by Jacob Pocker in 1926, with one store on Lexington Avenue, and was passed down through the generations. The last Pocker to own it was granddaughter Robin, who, when she was ready to retire, didn’t want to close down because it had been in existence for so long.

Around this time, Mauskopf was looking for a new challenge. For over 20 years, he’d been managing real estate in Manhattan. “I was looking for a business to purchase, something that made sense financially, but that I could also see myself doing and enjoying.”

In 2017, he bought J. Pocker, which had four stores.

Even though the field of framing was new to him, the businessman appreciated the fact that frames really are artwork in addition to the art. “I’ve really gained a love and respect since coming here and am working to keep J. Pocker an institution within the framing world.”

Under Mauskopf’s leadership, there are now five stores in New York City, Bronxville, Greenwich and Westport, Connecticut and Manhasset. “I’m always looking for new locations. “I’ve toyed with the idea of having shops outside of the tri-state area. Expansion is always on my mind.”

He’s also always looking for new products as well, especially ones that customers can’t find anywhere else. “Lots of what we sell are our specialty frames that you can basically customize. We can make any type of frame. Take one that’s already in existence and make it bigger, smaller, change the color, change the style, anything.”

After hours, the married father of three sons, 16, 18, and 21, is at school-related functions. “We’re all pretty big hockey players, so that takes up a lot of our time, too.” He’s also involved in his local synagogue. “There are a lot of charitable events that my family attends or donates towards, whether it’s financially or with our time.”

In celebrating his business’s centennial, Mauskopf’s happy to do so where it all began on the Upper East Side. “I do appreciate the level of sophistication of the people who live here. There’s a lot of artwork, which brings interesting pieces in to be framed.”

It does have its challenges, though. “Some people are very particular. The challenge isn’t just customizing something to make it look like what your client envisions, but making everybody happy.”