The Optician

01/27/2026

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/jan/22/the-rise-of-the-slutty-little-glasses-how-mens-eyewear-just-became-the-hottest-accessory

Slim frames and tinted lenses are reshaping how men present themselves, both on‑screen and off, turning glasses into one of the year’s most expressive style tools

03/27/2022

He's back.

02/17/2020

To G*i Gherardi, the first person outside my immediate crew to offer her kindness and support in opening my shop. I had always hoped my place would feel like those early years at L.A. Eyeworks. Thank you for being you and never straying from your original vision. You inspire me with each new collection. It’s a reminder to keep doing my thing, even if others are marching in a different direction. Thanks to Garrett Leight for this write-up. Collaboration of good people, I love it. ❤️

By G*i Gherardi I landed in eyewear by accident, really. My best friend Barbara McReynolds got us both jobs at an optical shop in Lido Isle in the early seventies, because we wanted $200 to hitchhike to New York. Our boss was a guy by the name of Ed Rose, who loved to play golf. He’d teach us how ...

12/21/2019

I had a great series of new and returning clients yesterday. It got me thinking about the last 5 years in business. There would be no The Optician without Bad Ass Lab. This post is mostly for you lens geeks out there. Here are two jobs that came in last night, a +15.00 and a -18.00. I am so grateful for their high standards.

While it is unfortunate for clients that I am not allowed to take insurance, I am beyond grateful I don’t have to use insurance labs anymore. It means never having to dispense something you know could have been done better. Huge shout out to Scott, Brandon, Manuel, Mayra (and Jay for past jobs). Y’all really are the best. 💋💋💋

01/25/2018

I am so lucky to have the best clients. Big thanks to Lynn Jones for this. This really made me reflect on the larger community. Letting my mind wander back over the last few months, I can think of so many other generous, supportive clients. So thank you for the flowers, Raj, and Max (when I was at my absolute worst...you renewed my faith in people, Max), Kate for the vegan caramels, James and Charles for vegan doughnuts, Greg and Bryson for homemade jam, Mark and Greg for reading material, Judy and Art for inviting me to your wedding and into your world, Gerald for the coveted secret pinball hall invite and pinball repair help, Koji for bringing me dessert, Julie and Mae for landscaping help, Cynthia, Christina, Siri, Ive, Lee and Deborah (and others) for health research, Kate, Pam, and Bryson for helping customers when I get busy. Everyone who distracts Io the cat when he starts to climb up clients (mostly Ty, thank you). I am forgetting a lot of others, I know. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write such thoughtful reviews (still rocking the $0 advertising budget!). All the door people at Jupiter who keep an eye on me and the store at night (and everyone else at Jupiter for counting me as one of their own). Reid and John for their generosity. Mostly, thanks to everyone that spread the word, brought friends to the shop, and remained loyal. Having someone you trust vouch for me has saved me so much time and headache, you have no idea. I am lucky to be a part of this community. Much love to you all!

10/22/2016

Love supporting this family-owned business.

09/14/2016

Ok, y'all know I usually keep it positive at The Optician. This post will potentially save me a lot of time, though. This is the long answer to questions I get asked all the time. "Do you carry Prada?. Ray-Ban? Versace? Oakley? Persol? Dolce and Gabbana?". Nope, and I've had to sever ties with some awesome brands when they took the buyout. This is one of the reasons you will find no Luxottica product in my store.

Luckily, there are still a number of ethical small companies that produce awesome, unique product, and it is a pleasure to support them and their people. Shop independent, shop local!

04/26/2016

Not helpful.

10/23/2015

Big fat thanks to Robert Bell, Scott Balestreri and Ellen Danielsen for taking over this labor of love. I wouldn't have been able to open The Optician without y'all. It gives me the warm fuzzies to see the hundred-ish regular volunteers, and to see it so well-run. You guys are knocking it out of the park. I never dreamed we could go from an idea and a 50 year-old phoropter to this. You guys rock.

Robert Bell on how eyecare professionals can help their community — and help themselves — by volunteering.