Myoptics

For the first time in my life, I needed glasses. My prescription was mild but I was encouraged to wear them constantly. If I was going to do that, the frames would matter intensely. It had to be comfortable, stylish but not too trendy, and preferably made in the U.S.A. That last part was a nice-​to-​have; I was skeptical that would happen. Price-​wise, I was willing to shell out for the perfect pair, though I didn’t necessarily want to. I tried frames at LensCrafters by all the big brands and also Warby Parkers’ with no luck. Myoptics in Tribeca is close to where I work and I dropped by during my lunch hour. Its website showed nice frames and noted that they were made in the U.S.A. So far so good.
The store is tiny but not cramped, and appeared amply stocked with a good selection. The person who helped me – Frank? – seemed like he had been doing this for a while. He asked me a couple of questions – for reading or constant wear? wire or plastic? – then proceeded to pull out frames from underneath the glass casing for me to try on. There wasn’t a dud in the bunch, so I didn’t bother to select my own. He was able to size up my personal style (or lack thereof) and pick frames that would suit my face – a wonderful knack that saved some time. Frank was really patient as I tried and retried frame after frame, or the same frame in different colors. I appreciated that he stood back and let me decide, adjusting selections based on my feedback. What struck me immediately was that the frames felt very well made, lightweight yet sturdy. I also liked that any branding was discreetly marked on the inside of the frame’s handles.
The only hitch turned out to be not one at all: I was promised that my order would be ready by the next day, a Friday, and if not, then by Monday and someone would call me if that was the case. I ended up calling myself on Monday to inquire about the status and was told that because the lenses had to be specially ordered, it could be a couple more days. I was annoyed that someone didn’t call me as promised to alert me to the new delay. But then I got another call that same afternoon. The lenses came in and my glasses were ready for pickup. The frames fit well, the prescription seemed accurate, and I was encouraged to return if they proved too tight.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with my frames choice and the service I received at Myoptics. Their frames are nicely crafted, stylish without trying too hard, and their prices middle of the road. (The high-​end designer frames at LensCrafters, such as Chanel, Burberry, and Prada, are double what Myoptic frames go for.) At work, a coworker who is a designer and seems to pay attention to these things told me that Myoptics has a good reputation. I completely agree and encourage anyone shopping for eyewear to give this place a try.