1940
The founder of Rammagerðin was Jóhannes Bjarnason (1909–1978). He began framing paintings around 1940 at Laugavegur 53 and, a year later, moved into the basement of Hótel Hekla, where his brother, Guðlaugur Bjarnason (1908–2000), joined him.
Jóhannes was ambitious in the work he took on and worked diligently to build up his company, Rammagerðin, which he opened at Hafnarstræti 17 in 1944.
The brothers handled framing for all the major Icelandic artists, such as Jóhannes Kjarval. Rammagerðin has a remarkable history connected to the arts—for example, many Icelanders owned reproductions of Icelandic artworks that had been framed there.
1960
In the 1960s, Rammagerðin developed further and began selling, in addition to frames, gift items made from Icelandic wool and ceramics.
Rammagerðin began the famous Christmas tradition of decorating its shop window with elaborate holiday displays featuring the Yule lads (Jólasveinar), a tradition that continued for half a century. Many remember the little mechanical Yule lads that moved so beautifully in the festive shop windows at Hafnarstræti in downtown Reykjavík.
1963
When Lyndon B. Johnson, then Vice President of the United States, stayed at Hótel Saga in September, there were extensive security measures in place. Haukur Gunnarsson from Rammagerðin was asked to bring souvenirs to the hotel so that the Vice President and his entourage wouldn’t have to go out shopping themselves. Johnson was a tough bargainer, but Haukur didn’t feel it was proper to haggle with the Vice President, so he earned little from the exchange.
1970
Rammagerðin opened a shop in Keflavík International Airport (Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal), where travelers could now buy gifts for friends and family to take home from Iceland. The store was originally called Iceland Market.
1980
Rammagerðin became one of the places visited by royalty and dignitaries on official visits, as a showcase for Icelandic wool and other handicrafts.
1982
Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco visited Rammagerðin, just a few months before the princess’s tragic death in a car accident.
2005
The clothing company 66°North purchased Rammagerðin. News reports stated that Rammagerðin’s operations would not change but that its stores would be strengthened for the future and embrace Icelandic design.
2006
66°North/Rammagerðin signed a ten-year lease agreement with Keflavík International Airport.
2012
Rammagerðin opened a new shop in Akureyri in a restored building, Hamborg, at Hafnarstræti 94.
2013
Rammagerðin participated in DesignMarch (HönnunarMars) for the first time.
2015
The flagship store of Rammagerðin at Hafnarstræti closed after 71 years. In its place, Rammagerðin opened two new stores in downtown Reykjavík, at Bankastræti and Skólavörðustígur.
2021
Rammagerðin opened a new store in Harpa Concert and Conference Hall.
2022
Rammagerðin purchased Glófi ehf, the largest manufacturer of Icelandic wool products in Iceland.
2024
Rammagerðin opened a new store in Laugavegur 31, previously known as Kirkjuhúsið ("the Church House").
