SPOKANE, Wash. — A local optical shop is changing up its business model to meet customers wherever they may be.
Stahl Optical near 5th Avenue and Chandler Street on Spokane’s South Hill is shutting its doors in favor of a mobile store.
The store has been open since 1969. Owner and optician, Debi Camarda said it’s time to innovate.
“We’re not going out of business or anything like that. We’re just making it a new story to our existing one,” she said.
Today, people are shopping for glasses online, and even able to try on frames virtually. Stahl’s new mobile store is an attempt to keep up with the industry’s changing landscape.
“I would make appointments just like they make appointments for me now, but this time, I would go to them,” said Camarda. “I would bring my equipment and my tools and whatnot. We would talk. We would figure out something that works for them and their lifestyle.”
She said this model will allow her to continue to connect with customers while fitting into their schedules.
“We’re just excited about doing something different,” said Camarda.
The change from the static storefront to the mobile store will also help the businesses lower costs.
Camarda said she also hopes it helps her customers avoid purchasing low-quality frames and lenses online.
Sean Minderman, practice manager of Frame Factory South Hill, said he often sees people dealing with the repercussions of bad online purchases.
“I see a lot of online glasses come in here either for a repair or an adjustment, something you can’t do online,” he said. “Most of the glasses online are ophthalmic quality, but you do get some that aren’t.”
There can be serious issues when glasses aren’t up to the ophthalmic certification standards.
Lenses pop out and frames break, posing real risk factors to the face and eyes.
Minderman said shopping for eyeglasses online can be a gamble, so it’s important to pay attention to the details and work with an in-person professional when in doubt.
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