Tag Archives: acetate

Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Unique Frame Lines

Customer Of The Week!!!

Written by on May 19th 2015

Clap your hands for our new Customer Of The Week…Calvin!

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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.

PM_Natura Collection

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: Rapp, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Sam & Willy’s!

Written by on May 5th 2015

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 sporting a snazzy Dean frame by Canadian eyewear company, Rapp.

 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: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Niloca, Theo

Customer Of The Week…Katie’s Quest

Written by on April 24th 2015

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!

Clockwork

Now you may think that her gorgeous Nilocas are exciting, but wait until you see her 2nd pick…

Mille+12a 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!

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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

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Dinkel’s Bakery!

Written by on April 22nd 2015

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.

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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.

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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

Cool Customer Of The Week!

Written by on April 1st 2015

Snap those fingers like you are in a french jazz club for Carl, our newest Customer Of The Week!

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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.

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He ended up leaving with two funky new pairs of specs that are perfect for the warm sunny days that are on their way.

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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.

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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.

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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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Filed under: EVENTS!, Theo

Go Green at our Theo Trunk Show on Saturday, April 18th!

Written by on March 20th 2015

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Well, it’s about that time….Spring is finally here and the new Theo collection is on its way to Eye Spy!
Come and check out all of the new colors and styles on Saturday, April 18th from 11-5pm!
We can’t wait! We will have sangrias and snacks to assist you with decision-making…no hanger in here!!!!mille+12 theo

change - theo mille +32 theo

In celebration of Earth Day, if you ride your bike to Eye Spy, we will be giving 10% off  Rx lenses with the purchase of a frame from Eye Spy:-) In addition, we are working with Roscoe Village Bikes to properly fit your helmut from 11-12pm *and* West Town Bikes to give your bike a check-up for spring! Finally, if you recycle a pair of glasses with us that you purchased online, you will get $50 off  Rx lenses:-) One discount offer per customer, puhleeze.

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Whoops, we almost forgot the best part of all!?  We will have a Girl Scout Troop from Oscar Mayer Elementary School here selling Girls Scout COOKIES!!!! It might be your last chance of the season to scoop up some cookies!  So…. come check out the new dreamy Theo’s and satisfy your sweet tooth!

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   See you Saturday, April 18th from 11-5pm!

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Filed under: Niloca, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln

Shop Local. Shop Lincoln: Paulina Meat Market!

Written by on March 4th 2015

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.

Johnny Begale, Sausage Kitchen Manager

Johnny is wearing a spicy Jawd frame by the Australian eyewear designer, Niloca, who are known for unexpected shapes and unique use of color in their handmade frames.

JOHNNY_ PAULINA MEAT MARKET_s

Paulina Meat Market is one of those great family business that are hard to find these days. In 1984, just as the current location was opening it’s doors, Johnny’s dad Bill, applied and started his career, learning to “break down cattle and serve carnivourous Chicagoans.” He and his wife, Laurie had the opportunity to buy the business from the original owners in 2006, and have made the market their own, exapnding their selection of fresh meats and sausages and compimentary products to appeal to the needs of their customers while still keeping the original roots of their German-American Meat Market intact.

Johnny has a degree in accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University and worked for 2 years at McGladrey, but found himself wondering if that was the right fit.  He began working for the family business in 2011 with the Sausage Kitchen team. “I have an awesome family and was fortunate enough to have a place to go when I needed to take a step back and figure things out.” Johnny has also put his accounting and business knowledge to good use, helping to make Paulina Meat Market the World Class Meat Market it is today.

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Fun Facts about Johnny:

How long have you been in business?  Paulina Market has been in business since 1949 (65 years)

Who was your teenage celebrity crush?  I was 19 when Annapolis came out (just on the edge of teenage years), and James Franco is a stud in that movie so would have to go with him!

If you could be any animal, what would it be?  I would have to be a bird, a Bald Eagle to be specific I guess.  I don’t know much about Bald Eagles, but I love to travel and I love my country so that would be a sweet animal to be!

Are you right or left handed?  Righty

What color are your eyes? Brown

Where did you grow up? Niles, IL

What ‘hood do you live in? Roscoe Village

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Johnny and his family want Paulina Market always strives to understand its customers and their meat-eating needs and pushes itself to be the best market in town!

Paulina Meat Market * 3501 N. Lincoln Avenue (corner of Lincoln & Cornelia) Chicago, IL 60657 * 773.248.6272

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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, RES/REI, Theo

Customer Of The Week…Couples Edition!

Written by on March 2nd 2015

Introducing our Customers Of The Week…Ellen and Denny!

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Ellen and Denny love unique handmade eyewear so much that they braved the midwest winter weather and travelled all the way from Kalamzoo, MI not once but twice to get their hands on their new specs!

Denny picked up a handsome pair of ResRei Ottone Frames.

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They are comfortable and the two-tone color make them an easy pair of specs to wear everyday.

Ellen was a little more adventerous with her choice…

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and went home with a bright red pair of Theo Tijl frames. They are a bold statement that look fantastic on Ellen, but she didn’t stop there…

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Ellen added a bright yellow custom sun-clip by our favorite sun-clip designer, CustomEyes.  The yellow looks so great with the red frame, that everyone here at EyeSpyOptical are dreaming about getting sun-clips for our wn frames!

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I hope Ellen and Denny are ready for people to stop them on the street, because they looks amazing in their new specs!

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Filed under: FASHION!, NEWS!

Introducing our newest line: Piero Massaro!

Written by on February 24th 2015

Bold color…Check! Beautiful wearable shapes…Check!  Unique design details…Check! Fantastic textures…Check!  Piero Massaro frames have it all!

PM Cubika

It is no surprise that the Queen of Specs fell hard for Italian eyewear designer’s  newest offerings and had to pick them up for the store!

Piero Massaro

Massaro is an artist,  playing with color, pattern and shape to create beautiful handmade eyewear.  He finds his inspiration in the world around him. Simple geometric shapes are puzzled together to create bold shapes.  Striped acetates evoke schools of fish swimming in the Mediterranean. Colors are inspired by the foods around him…fragrant oranges, toasted almonds, and pistachio nuts.

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Massaro is the recipient of the prestegious Special Award of the international jury of the Silmo d’Or in Paris in 2014, celebrating creativity and innovation.

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Each frame is carefully made by hand in Italy by skilled craftspeople. Frames are limited to 100 pcs per color and shape and each frame is numbered.

Stop by the shop and try them on.  You will totally understand why we are so enamored with them!

 

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Filed under: Caroline Abram, CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, FASHION!, Theo

Customer Of The Week!!!

Written by on February 15th 2015

Welcome Michele to the Customer Of The Week Club!!!

MICHELE

Keeping it cool and casual in her Theo Mille+4 Cat Eyes.

Michele walked into Eye Spy and knew what she wanted. Two new frames – one black, one white or clear.  Michelle is the kind of woman who knows what she wants…and she got it with the help of our very own Specs Wrangler, Patsy.

MICHELE I)

 

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The first pair Patsy pulled out was a gorgeous pair of matte black Theo Mille+4 frames.  Not only were they a perfect fit, but they matched Michele’s laid-back-rocker-with-a-bit-of-an-edge look. Mille+4’s rounded edges and soft matte-black texture make this anything but your average black frame.

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The second frame, Gigi by Caroline Abram, is a little dressier with its pretty gold metal details. The modern angles really accentuate Michele’s cheek bones and the larger lenses show off her eyes. Michele can wear these for a night out on the town, or with jeans and a t-shirt for a more casual look.

We love what Michele decided to get and can’t to see what she chooses next time!

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