Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Unique Frame Lines
Clap your hands for our new Customer Of The Week…Calvin!
Calvin bought his first pair of specs from Eye Spy wayyyyyyyyyy back in 2001 and has been a loyal customer ever since.
On Calvin’s last visit, he was looking for a new pair of cool new specs and our Design Maven, Sara, was quick to find a great pair of new Piero Massaro frames.
These handmade Italian frames are so comfortable and stylish with their handmade acetates and fun details. Eye Spy is one of the few shops in the US to carry these unique frames and the designer only makes 100 of each frame in each color, so you won’t be seeing anyone else in Calvin’s new specs. 
Calvin looks stylish and cool in his new frame and we are sure he is out there getting compliments right and left!
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Filed under: Anne et Valentin, CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Theo
Happy Day to Customer of the Week…Phyllis!!!
Phyllis was getting too much attention in her limited edition kelly green Anne Et Valentin Sagan sunglass-turned-optical frame – not the WORST problem to have – so she came in to find something a little more understated…perhaps even “boring.” Our Queen of Specs, Alissa, took on the task and did her best to help out Phyllis by selecting an elegant Move frame by Theo in a soft blue that really complements Phyllis’ eyes and skin.
Unfortunately, Alissa’s attempt at choosing a boring frame wasn’t as successful as she thought, because Phyllis called us up the other day to tell us that she has been getting stopped on the street because of her newest frames too! People just won’t leave her alone! The nerve!
We love the new frames and think she looks amazing. If you want to go tell Phyllis how much you LOVE her glasses, you can find her being a rock star realtor at Baird & Warner, volunteering at PAWS or walking her three rescue dogs….
Next time Alissa will just have to try a little harder…or Phyllis just needs to get used to being a rock star
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Filed under: Rapp, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.
Tom Daniels, owner of Sam & Willy’s
Tom is sporting a snazzy Dean frame by Canadian eyewear company, Rapp. They are known for their unique materials and cool shapes.
Tom is the owner extraordinaire of Sam & Willy’s which is, in our opinion, the best pet shop around. He is a long time animal lover, but when he and his lady added a dog who had some special nutritional needs to their family (they already had 2 cats), he realized that there weren’t any places where he could get what he needed for his pup. So he did what many business owners do, and started the very business he had been looking for, a neighborhood pet store where people could get nutritious food and pet supplies, and a little advice from knowledgable staff. He named the store after that dog, Sam, and his cat Willy.
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Fun Facts About Tom:
How long have you been in business? 12 years
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Farrah Fawcett
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Dolphin
Are you right or left handed? Right handed
What color are your eyes? Grey
Where did you grow up? Cleveland, OH
What hood do you live in now? Lincoln Square
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Tom’s favorite part of owning Sam & Willy’s is helping people who come into his store looking for help with a particular issue that their pet is having, educating and connecting with his customers. He also loves being a part of the community, working with many of the local animal rescue groups. His is not a shop where you feel like an anonymous shopper, Tom wants to work with you to make sure your pet’s needs are being met.
Sam & Willy’s will be celebrating its 12 year anniversary this Spring, so stop in, say hi and pick a treat for the furry animal in your life!
Sam & Willy’s * 3405 N. Paulina St. Chicago Il 60657 * 773-404-0400
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Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs.
Heather Miller, Owner of Black Hearts Hair House
Heather is wearing Francis Klein Kristy in sparkly leopard print…need we say more?
Ever since she was a little girl, Heather Miller has been passionate about hair—from cutting her dolls’ hair, to styling all of her friend’s updos for prom, to dorm room hair color adventures; there has always been a constant: she has known that a hair salon—more specifically, her own salon– is where she belongs. After completing her certification at Pivot Point, she gained further education along with a blossoming clientele through the punk/alternative hair salons that Chicago has to offer. Her years of knowledge & experience paid off when the doors of Black Hearts Hair House in November 2008.
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Fun Facts About Heather:
How long have you been in business? 6 years
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Luke Perry from 90210
If you could be any animal, what would it be? A panther
Are you Right or Left handed?: Right handed
What color are your eyes? Brown
Where did you grow up? Naperville, IL
What hood do you live in? Albany Park
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Since 2008, she has morphed the space on Lincoln Avenue with the help of her talented staff of professionals into her dream of an alternative boutique salon that is able to accommodate a variety of clients–no matter what their budget is or if they want subtle blonde highlights or a bright, purple Mohawk–and always providing them with the upscale environment and service they all deserve.
Black Hearts Hair House * 3535 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 * 773-525-4344
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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Niloca, Theo
Hi All! It is time for Customer of The Week again, and this time we chose a lovely customer who walked in with a pair of ho-hum tortoise specs, and left with some COLOR! Congrats to Katie!!!!
Katie is a world traveller and a professor in Indianapolis, IN and she knows awesome eyewear when she sees it. She had heard tales of a magical eyewear boutique in Chicago that carried an amazing collection of funky fun eyewear. One early Saturday morning she set out on her journey, in search of this magical oasis. She endured an arduous journey full of stop-and-go traffic and evil construction monsters, but after several hours she made it to the store where beverages were offered to quench her thirst and lovely ladies helped her find the glasses of her dreams.
Katie was wearing a pair of ho-hum tortoise glasses and practically gasped at the rainbow of specs before her. She tried on many pairs, but they were too small, too big, or just somehow not right…that is until she tried on a pair of fun and funky metal pair of Niloca Clockwork glasses in a fun bright orange! They fit like a glove and had fun 3-D details and those dreamy sky blue temple tips! Glasses like these could only come from the mad genius design minds of the folks at Niloca, and they were perfect!
Now you may think that her gorgeous Nilocas are exciting, but wait until you see her 2nd pick…
a bright candy red pair of Theo Mille+12 glasses were singing their siren song to Katie. Lo and behold…Katie tried them on, and again, they too were just right!
We love how they almost GLOW on Katie’s pale skin and light blonde hair.
Katie’s journey was complete and she was happy. She returned home, happy to have found her new favorite eyewear boutique and excited about her cool and colorful new specs. AND, she lived happily ever after.
The End.
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Filed under: Anne et Valentin, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.
Luke Karl, VP at Dinkel’s Bakery
Anne et Valentin makes wearable frames in some great color combos like this orange and black D-Mo frame that Luke is wearing.
Dinkel’s was opened by Joseph K. Dinkel and his wife Antonie opened Dinkel’s Bakery in 1922. He was a master baker in Germany and after immigrating to Chicago, they set out to start their own bakery.
Since then, Dinkel’s has become a Chicago institution and is now being operated under the third generation of Dinkels with Joseph’s son -Norman, his grandson Eric, and his grand daughter and her husband – Sandgren and Luke running the show.
They have kept tradition alive, using many of Joseph’s original recipes still to this day.
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Fun Facts About Luke:
How long has the Dinkel’s been in business? Since 1922
How long ave you been working there? 2008
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? My idol was Wynton Marsalis
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Peregrine Falcon
Are you right or left handed? Right handed
What color are your eyes? Brown
Where did you grow up? Kansas City, KS
What hood do you live in now? Lakeview
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Dinkel’s Bakery has expanded thanks to the wonders of the internet and now people who grew up eating delicious goodies from Dinkel’s can now buy them and serve them to their families no matter where they live by visiting www.dinkels.com.
Dinkel’s is the kind of bakery that puts a smile on your face. Just one bite of deliciousness and you will be hooked!
Dinkel’s Bakery * 3329 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago Il 60657 * 773-281-7300
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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Theo, Unique Frame Lines
This week’s Customer Of The Week is a Couple. Give a round of applause to Marie and Greg!
Don’t they look great in their Theo’s?!?
I have a secret to tell you…if you and your partner both wear glasses that you bought from Eye Spy, you will probably be featured as our Customer Of The Week! I have another secret to tell you…if you and your partner both wear the same brand of glasses, like Marie and Greg, then you are almost GUARANTEED to be our Customers Of The Week.
Marie came in looking for an upgrade and our Design Maven helped her pick out the perfect pair of Theo Abricot frames.
We think you will agree that both the color and the fit look amazing on her.
This frame is such a gorgeous shade of purple and has some really unique cut-out details around the edges.
Greg’s Aramis frame is also a cool shape and outstanding color.
Marie has been a customer for 11 years and Greg has been a customer for 6 years, so obviously they both know how great funky, colorful eye wear can be. We just LOVE couples who have great taste in glasses!
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Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln, Theo
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs.
Nate Judson, Chef at Frasca
Nate is wearing a slick pair of Theo Huitante+Huit. The bold black and bright neon green really pop on this frame.
Nate has been cooking up a storm for many years now – an interest inspired by watching the Frugal Gourmet as a kid on PBS after school. After graduating from Kendal College in 2008, he went on to work at many of Chicago’s great restaurants: 312 Chicago, Alinea, Francesca’s Restaurant Group, as well as a period of working in LA with Gordon Ramsey (don’t you want to know what that was like?) He returned to Chicago because he missed the city and chefs he had gotten to know working here and so he decided to come back home and has been at is loving the opportunity to cook for Frasca.
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Fun Facts About Nate:
How long have you been in business? 7 years
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Sarah Michelle Geller
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Red-Tail Hawk
Are you Right or Left handed?: Right handed
What color are your eyes? Blue
Where did you grow up? Lake Villa, Il
What hood do you live in? Logan Square
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Nate loves the freedom to create in Frasca’s kitchen and has been making some killer Rissotto – his favourite dish to cook. He describes cooking in a kitchen as controlled chaos and digs the constantly changing environment and creative outlet that it provides.
His favourite thing about Frasca is that the menu is contstantly changing and that it is such a neighborhood institution.
Frasca * 3358 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60657 * 773-248-5222
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Filed under: Anni Shades, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.
Laura Boton, Owner of Sine Qua Non Salons
Laura’s wearing a dreamy pair of Anni Shades Oleg frames. Anni Shades are made in Ohio by hand and can be custom made in almost any color you like!
In 1993, Laura was a frustrated stylist. She wanted to work in a salon where “freedom, creativity and flexibility could exist for the stylists, and comfort and acceptance would be a priority for our guests, ” instead of the run of the mill mico-managing she had experienced in the salon industry.
With a little help, a lot of hard work and $25,000 borrowed from friends and family, Sine Qua Non Salons was a dream come true!
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Fun Facts About Laura:
How long have you been in business? 21 years
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? David Cassidy & Micky Dolenz
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Dog
Are you right or left handed? Right handed
What is your eye color? Brown
Where did you grow up? Des Plaines, the City of Destiny
What hood do you live in? West Rogers Park
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Laura was in that first location, an old house at at 2944 N Lincoln for 5 years. She moved to her current location in 1998 after a failed bid to buy that building (which no longer exists) and has continued as a go-to for the stylish people of Lake View.
Laura loves what she does, “Its been a great ride!”
Sin Qua Non Salons * 3417 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 * 773.404.8789
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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Theo, Unique Frame Lines
Snap those fingers like you are in a french jazz club for Carl, our newest Customer Of The Week!
Carl came into the store on one of those cold pre-spring days to look at new frames. He was wearing a pair of Anni Shades Glimpse frames and was ready for something a little different.
He ended up leaving with two funky new pairs of specs that are perfect for the warm sunny days that are on their way.
Carl has loved wearing his Anni Shades Glimpse and was ready for a new look, so our Optical Oracle suggested he look at some metal and acetate frames.
Carl put on a pair of Theo Cinquante+Sept in bright orange and couldn’t take them off. The color looks amazing on him and because the frames are titanium, they are light and comfortable.
He was also drawn to the chunky black Theo Mille+13. The matte and shiny textures create a fun contrast and makes these glasses anything but your basic black acetate frame.
Carl feels like glasses are one of the best accessories that men have, and we couldn’t agree more!!! He was a delight to work with and we hope he loves his new eyewear wardrobe as much as we do.
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