Filed under: NEWS!, Niloca, Theo
You may have seen a new face around here lately…and that face belongs to our new optician, Debbi, the Glasses Guru. Debbi has over 17 years of experience and she sure knows her stuff! She is a wiz at adjustments – she will get your glasses sitting pretty on your face in no time – she hasn’t met a frame she could bend back into shape yet!
We asked her a few questions so you could get to know her:
- How many glasses do you own?
1 optical and 1 sun! (She gave away all her sunnies – this lady has a heart of gold! But, don’t you worry, she will become a glasses addict in NO time!!)
- Do you have a hobby?
I cook, swim, and love shopping – especially for kitchen wear (perhaps due to the fact that her mom has a catering business).
- There’s an EARTHQUAKE! and you can only save 3 things from the gaping hole forming under your apartment, what do you scoop up?
Photo albums, my journal, and of course, my prized possession – my beautiful, brick red KitchenAid mixer.
- What catches your eye at Eye Spy?
The neon yellow Niloca Clockwork frame….and the Theo Mille+26 in fluorescent red….as seen in the above photo:-)
- If you could be any mystical person/creature who/what would it be?
A unicorn with wings – they are so powerful and beautiful…and I could fly!
- Do you have a hidden talent?
I am a wiz at useless trivia…and don’t even get me started with old R&B!!!
- Tell us something that most people don’t know about you.
I grew up on a farm with 30 dogs. (Whoa!!!)
Debbi is extremely patient, easy-going, and great at picking out spectacular specs…and we are sure you will think so too! Come by the store, say hi, and introduce yourself; She is excited to meet all of our fabulous customers:-)
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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….along with a few shots of their shops.
Sarah Sloane, Manager at Pleasure Chest
Sarah is wearing a rockin’ pair of Theo Cinquante+6 in a the most amazing blue-green teal color that really brings out her eyes. Structured cat-eyes are the perfect eye wear choice for women who are tired of boring rectangles, but don’t really feel like themselves in a dramatic cat-eye.
Sarah is the marvelous manager at the Pleasure Chest – a boutique erotic store that opened it’s first store in the West Village, NYC in 1971, the height of the sexual revolution. It set itself apart from the rest of the erotic stores out there with a welcoming and classy atmosphere, it was definitely not your usual seedy “XXX” sex shop with covered windows and creepy sales people. They quickly grew and expanded in gay neighborhoods in Chicago and LA.
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Fun Facts About Sarah:
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 now? Logan Square
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As the manager, Sarah and her staff help people explore their sexuality and relationships in a healthy way. Their store is welcoming and beautifully decorated – often called the “Saks 5th Ave” of erotic stores, putting even new customers at ease. “They create a powerful experience and trust where individuals can be successful in finding out what works in their lives. All of the staff employed at The Pleasure Chest is trained to be sensitive to the needs of our guests, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.”
Pleasure Chest * 3436 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago IL 60657 * 773-525-7151
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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….along with a few shots of their shops.
Alissa Fields, Queen of Specs at Eye Spy Optical
Alissa is wearing her signature Theo Cinquante in Hot Pink. The bright color really pops on this classic shape and is anything but ordinary – just like Alissa!
Also known ’round these parts as The Queen of Specs, Alissa is the colorful and funky owner of Eye Spy Optical.
Eye Spy Optical came into being after many fruitless searches for red and purple glasses. Realizing that there was a lack of fun, colorful and funky glasses in Chicago, Alissa (a.k.a the Queen of Specs) decided that the folks in Chicago deserve glasses that have some personality!
Since Alissa was a kid, she wanted to start her own business. She had lemonade stands, worked in retail starting at 4 years old in her grandparents’ lamp store and earned an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Alissa’s parents’ design background guided her interests towards well-designed and beautiful objects. The Queen of Specs wore glasses since the age of 12, and always helped her friends pick out their specs. One day, it finally dawned on her … she would love to have an eyeglass shop and fit people with spectacular specs.
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Fun Facts About Alissa:
How long have you been in business? 17 years
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Charlie Sheen
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Mandarin Fish
Are you right or left handed? Right handed
What color are your eyes? Hazel
Where did you grow up? Rogers Park, Lakeview, Glencoe, Wilmette and Evanston…Whew!
What hood do you live in now? Mayfair
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Alissa and her staff pride themselves in outfitting customers with frames that are bit out-of-the-ordinary. Many of their customers say that they are surprised at what eyeglasses they choose for them. They always hear how much our customers love their new glasses, how many compliments they receive, how much fun they had picking out frames…and how they will return to Eye Spy again and again!
They stock frames in every color of the rainbow, and sell more red and purple glasses than black glasses. They also do a ton of special orders, so if you are looking for something specific or more sedate, they can help you find it. They have spectacular specs and shades for men, women and kids.
Eye Spy Optical offers personalized fittings, “Try-before-you-buy” digital photos of you in your glasses, expert advice, comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings, and honest opinions…about anything and everything!! If you let them guide you and listen to their opinions, it will be easy to decide on your new pair of simply spectacular specs.
Eye Spy Optical * 3350 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago IL 60626 * 773-477-2670
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Filed under: EVENTS!, Theo
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!!!!
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.
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!
See you Saturday, April 18th from 11-5pm!
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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….along with a few shots of their shops.
Katherine McHenry, owner of Building Blocks
Katherine is wearing a pair of playful and flirty fluorescent red Theo Mille +26 frames. After modelling these frames for us, she decided that she loved them…and purchased them!!
Katherine, a self proclaimed “educator-wannabe, play ambassador and retail aficionado” opened her store in 1996. This wasn’t her first business though, she got her start at 9 selling candy out of her apartment in Queens, NY. She dabbled in retail for a while and worked in accounting, but it wasn’t until she opened Building Blocks that she really found her passion. “Serving families with educational, developmental and play-based products” is what really floats Katherine’s boat.
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Fun Facts About Katherine:
How long have you been in business? 18 years
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Rob Lowe
If you could be any animal, what would it be? A bird
Are you Right or Left handed?: Right handed
What color are your eyes? Brown
Where did you grow up? Queens, NY
What hood do you live in? West Edgewater
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Katherine is a busy woman. She not only has two stores, she opened the Wicker Park location in 2008, but she also is a mom. Tai and Linh keep her on her toes and get to test drive all the best toys!
Make sure you stop in the next time you need a toy for a little person in your life. Katherine will be happy to help you.
Building Blocks * 3306 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Il 60657 * 773-525-6200
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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, Theo
Hey Peeps! It’s that time of the week again, meet Sophia our jazzy new Customer of the Week! She’s frame twins with Alissa, the Queen of Specs! Sophia really wanted to jazz it up with her new frames, and she made a bold choice going from a rimless frame to these Theo Mille+25 frames. She pulls it off so well, we are so glad she took the leap!!!!
Thanks for being so brave Sophia!!! Oh, and for being our Customer of the Week!
Check out the Queen of Specs in her Theo Mille+25 frames. Alissa’s frames are fluorescent pink! What else would she choose?! Too bad we didn’t get a photo of Sophia and Alissa together:-(
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Filed under: Anne et Valentin, CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, Julbo
It’s a family affair! This trio was just too cute, so we made all three of them the Customers of the Week!!
Meet Kathy, Curt, and their little bruiser, Wil!
Curt has been coming to Eye Spy for frames for some time now. He’s gathered quite the collection of Anne et Valentin frames. His “Factory Eight” frames (pictured here) are his most recent addition. Since Curt developed such an appreciation for the designer, it was only natural that Kathy would end up being just as inspired!
When the family came in to pick up Curt’s glasses, our Anne at Valentin trunk show just happened to be in full swing at Eye Spy. Kathy hadn’t purchased glasses in years, but fell in love with the “Lou” frame in chocolate brown with pink accents. She decided that she needed to look as good as her husband, but needed a very comfortable frame. This titanium frame fit the bill…and will stand up to the wear and tear that certain toddlers can impose on glasses;-)
A special honorable mention goes to the little guy, sporting his super fly Julbo sunglasses. Maybe when he’s all grown up, he’ll join the ranks and carry on the Anne et Valentin frame tradition!
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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, Theo, Unique Frame Lines
Introducing our lovely Customer of the Week… Anne!
Look how adorble Anne is in her new Theo Pourbus frames! Anne was referred to us by a random person on the street who was wearing awesome specs from…you guessed it: Eye Spy Optical! (note: she got referral discount!) Ann was very happy that she listened to the kindness and suggestion of a stranger for her first pair of glasses….and as she put it so aptly, “If you have to wear glasses, they might as well have some pop.” Agreed. Check out the detail on this beauty!
Thanks for being so much fun Anne!
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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!
Hey all you optical enthusiasts! It’s that time again. We must pay homage to our new Customer of the Week: Alison!!
Alison came in thinking she wanted the exact same style frame she already had ; a tortoise/green round plastic frame that bordered on the conservative side; a reliable companion since she had long since left beind hard contacts. But with the finesse and guidance of our new optician, Siobhan, Allison was able to expand her mind.
Suddenly, her eyes fell upon these turquoise Theo “James” frames. She jokingly tried them on thinking: “Oh these will look absolutely ridicuously on me” …but was immediatly posessed by the magic of these beatiful specs. Obviously this was a match made in heaven! We’re SO glad that Alison AND her husband love these frames as much as we do!
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Filed under: CUSTOMER OF THE WEEK!, Rapp
It’s that time again!! Customer of the Week **insert catchy theme song**
This week’s Customer of the Week iiiiissss: Rachel!!
Rachel holds the honor of being one of the lucky people who rock these Rapp “Nathalie” frames. Rapp eyewear is one of our limited-edition lines of eyewear. Each pair is made-to-order for us…and they only have 30 accounts in the whole wide world! It takes them 6 months just to produce our order!! Of course, we get to choose any shape in any color, but their colors are not even standardized…’cause they only have small amounts of each color. So…what am I sayin’? If you see it and love it, you better get now…or you might be crying when someone else buys your dream frame:-(
Rapp “Nathalie”
Congrats to Rachel for being bold, choosing these Canadian-made works of art…and being our Customer of the Week!
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