The Optician

I had a great series of new and returning clients yesterday. It got me thinking about the last 5 years in business. There would be no The Optician without Bad Ass Lab. This post is mostly for you lens geeks out there. Here are two jobs that came in last night, a +15.00 and a -18.00. I am so grateful for their high standards. While it is unfortunate for clients that I am not allowed to take insurance, I am beyond grateful I don’t have to use insurance labs anymore. It means never having to dispense something you know could have been done better. Huge shout out to Scott, Brandon, Manuel, Mayra (and Jay for past jobs). Y’all really are the best.

I am so lucky to have the best clients. Big thanks to Lynn Jones for this. This really made me reflect on the larger community. Letting my mind wander back over the last few months, I can think of so many other generous, supportive clients. So thank you for the flowers, Raj, and Max (when I was at my absolute worst...you renewed my faith in people, Max), Kate for the vegan caramels, James and Charles for vegan doughnuts, Greg and Bryson for homemade jam, Mark and Greg for... reading material, Judy and Art for inviting me to your wedding and into your world, Gerald for the coveted secret pinball hall invite and pinball repair help, Koji for bringing me dessert, Julie and Mae for landscaping help, Cynthia, Christina, Siri, Ive, Lee and Deborah (and others) for health research, Kate, Pam, and Bryson for helping customers when I get busy. Everyone who distracts Io the cat when he starts to climb up clients (mostly Ty, thank you). I am forgetting a lot of others, I know. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write such thoughtful reviews (still rocking the $0 advertising budget!). All the door people at Jupiter who keep an eye on me and the store at night (and everyone else at Jupiter for counting me as one of their own). Reid and John for their generosity. Mostly, thanks to everyone that spread the word, brought friends to the shop, and remained loyal. Having someone you trust vouch for me has saved me so much time and headache, you have no idea. I am lucky to be a part of this community. Much love to you all! See more

Love supporting this family-owned business.

Ok, y'all know I usually keep it positive at The Optician. This post will potentially save me a lot of time, though. This is the long answer to questions I get asked all the time. "Do you carry Prada?. Ray-Ban? Versace? Oakley? Persol? Dolce and Gabbana?". Nope, and I've had to sever ties with some awesome brands when they took the buyout. This is one of the reasons you will find no Luxottica product in my store. Luckily, there are still a number of ethical small companies that produce awesome, unique product, and it is a pleasure to support them and their people. Shop independent, shop local!

Big fat thanks to Robert Bell, Scott Balestreri and Ellen Danielsen for taking over this labor of love. I wouldn't have been able to open The Optician without y'all. It gives me the warm fuzzies to see the hundred-ish regular volunteers, and to see it so well-run. You guys are knocking it out of the park. I never dreamed we could go from an idea and a 50 year-old phoropter to this. You guys rock.

Why not? <3 #inspirekindnessSC

A bit over a year ago, I passed this cute shop on Allston Street, with a "For Rent" sign in the window. I stopped in my tracks, and had a "what if?" moment. I remembered all those great times at Jupiter during my college years (20 years ago...how did that happen?). I figured if the vibe was half as good as it was then, it would be a no-brainer. It was. It is. I am so very lucky. I LOVE this spot and my neighbors. Something is incredibly right at Jupiter. This has *nothing* to do with the round of shots just forced upon me when I ordered my food. Okay, maybe a little bit, but it probably just removed my filter. Thank you to all the folks who believed in me, probably more than I did. I made it through my first year without running it into the ground. Woohoo!

Just when I'm complaining about Berkeley weirdness, I stumble on the Hare Krishna dude riffing Christmas songs with a random accordion player. This is why I still love Berkeley.

I will be closing at 4:00 tonight. Protests are expected to commence ~5:00. I hope for equanimity and peace amidst the heartache and fury.