Here Today: Optical Alternatives of Fairfield

“From prescription to perfection,” the staff of strives to deliver quality glasses for affordable prices, according optician Glenn Bemus, a current Fairfield resident and Westport native.  

And despite the sluggish economy, Bemus and his fellow optician Dorothy Reynolds of Milford have seen their business grow since it opened nearly two years ago (their second anniversary is Wednesday).

“People really like the concept of high-fashioned glasses at reasonable prices,” Bemus said. Prices for frames start at $99.

“Having been in the optical industry since 1982, I identified a need for an eyeglass store which offers eyeglass frames at every price point,” Bemus said. To create such a store, Bemus looked to frame styles from all over the world.

Optical Alternatives, situated at 2480 Black Rock Turnpike (near Donut Inn), is home to more than 1,200 frames, available in 95 brands from more than 20 countries.

“The fun part for me is finding out that Israel, Turkey, Hungary, Spain, Australia all made glasses,” said Reynolds.

Indeed, Optical Alternatives offers a unique inventory of frames, and many are sold exclusively at the store -- at least as far as Fairfield County is concerned.

Bemus and Reynolds cut the lenses in themselves in the lab in the back of the store. “We’re in control of the lens accuracy, which we really take pride in,” Bemus said.

Bemus mentioned a customer who had picked her glasses on a Friday and she called the following Monday to let the Bemus and Reynolds know that she could see so clearly, she realized how dirty her car was and spent half the weekend cleaning it.

If you stop in and pick out a frame, your glasses can be ready in as little as an hour. Some cases may take up to a week -- but Optical Alternatives is open seven days a week (see the hours below).

Inventory includes what Bemus described as a range from “classic conservative to fashion forward, matching each individual’s personality and budget.”

“It’s jewelry for your face,” Reynolds said of some of the styles.

Optical Alternatives is located at 2480 Black Rock Turnpike. The store is opened Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop in to learn about deals and offers in honor of Optical Alternative’s second anniversary. Phone: 203-372-2010 Check out their website and Facebook page.