Eye Spy Optical
Categories: Optometrists, Eyewear & Opticians [Edit]
Neighborhood: Lakeview3350 N Lincoln Ave
(between Marshfield Ave & Paulina St)
Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 477-2670
Kaenon has developed a radically new lens material,…
Announced 4 weeks ago
- Nearest Transit:
Paulina (Brown)
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sat 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- By Appointment Only: No
24 Reviews for Eye Spy Optical
One of Eye Spy Optical's Favorite Reviews
I just stopped in this weekend after passing by many times and I was very impressed.
I had some disappointing experiences elsewhere trying to find a pair of glasses I liked, looked good on may & could hold a progressive lens. Alissa was so helpful & gave me tons of choices - glasses that actually look great! Yeah, as others said its a little on the pricier side, but your getting unique, original & awesome glasses. Plus, I really felt that the staff took time to get to know what you wanted and your style. Well worth the $ in my opinion.
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I've been buying my specs from Eye Spy since 2001. While pricey, the selection, the staff, and the doc make it all well worth it.
Last stopped there April 26, 2008 and the selection of frames was outstanding, topped by the show-stopper I selected. When out and about I am regulary complimented about my eyeware.
I drive 45 miles in from the boonies to visit Eye Spy and wouldn't think of going anywhere else for exams or specs!
It was time for some new eyeglasses so I thought I would stop into Eye Spy since they're in the neighborhood. When I walked in, I let the Sales Associate (I think her name was Kat) know that I was still in my research phase and was pleased that she was still quite attentive.
She pulled out several different frames which were all fine but nothing that was "clouds parting/sun shining down" when I put them on...plus I was noting the prices (more than I've ever thought of paying for glasses) and got a bit nervous. I was about ready to head out but tried on one last pair and it was love at first sight; they were definitely me but nothing that I would have ever thought to pick out...amazing detail and these fantastic little hand-painted flowers in the corners and along the sides. Given that they were so pricey, I took the night to think about it and after a friend said the magic words (Flex Spending), I decided to make them mine.
I really had a great experience at Eye Spy; the staff...always friendly and helpful and there's a large selection of fun/quirky and unique frames. I absolutely love my new glasses (you can see them in my profile pic) and am so pleased with the service that I received from Eye Spy!
I had a positive experience here when I purchased my glasses. I thought the staff was really helpful and took their time with me while I tried on many, many frames. I never felt rushed or pressured to buy.
When I went to my opthamologist a couple of months later he said, "whoever worked on your glasses did an impeccable job and got the prescription perfectly." That made me feel good because the frames were $395.
The only downside was that it took quite a while for my glasses. I think I waited two weeks or so. But it was worth the wait to me.
The sign reads Simply Spectacular Eye wear .. and they are right
on target. With brands like Anne et Valentin and Lafont, you can't go wrong. Sales staff was helpful and polite when assisting with the selection of stylish frames. Located just north of Belmont Ave.
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Its the end of the year, and you know what that means---time to spend your Flex Spend on eyewear and contact lenses... I wanted to go to Red Eye to support the Damen shops; but they are "closed for the new year holiday" this Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Dumb move Red Eye! I went to Eye Spy on Lincoln and was thrilled with the great service from Mary, who looked at dozens of frames with me and helped me to think about what would be best for my work needs and also we looked at some fun pairs for weekend wear. I got two pairs of glasses. They are not on the cheap side but they are the prices that you expect from high end designer eyeglasses ($500+ each) but that also includes the special coatings and the condensed glass necessary for my heavy prescription. Highly recommend!
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My friend and I stopped in when my glasses broke and I wanted some funky new frames. I had heard Eye Spy's ads on NPR, so I assumed they would be progressive and informative. This was so not the case.
When we walked in there we were greeted by a woman who was so saccharine that I would image that all animals she would come in contact with developed tumors on the spot. I told her that I needed new frames and she kept saying "fair, fair. It was the most annoying buzz word I have ever heard.
My friend and I had a contest while we were there to find the ugliest frames for our face since there was no way we could afford the overpriced frames . At each one, Ms. Tab went overboard with the compliments and told us at each frame "That's the one for you!" We started to ignore her. She started bringing us similar frames to the ones we were mocking.
There was another salesperson there, but he way too cool to be bothered from his novel.
There were some cool frames there, but I would never pay over $300 for frames, plus an eye exam. One more thing about Eye Spy that irked me. Both sales people did not wear glasses!
The glasses I am wearing in my profile pic came from For Eyes.
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I am the owner Eye Spy Optical...and after reading and responding to these reviews, i had the urge to put my 2 cents in:-) I opened my store 9 years ago, with the mission of providing unique, handmade eyewear in a comfortable atmosphere...where the staff is honest, friendly, and down-to-earth.
Before I opened my store, I had been looking for red or purple glasses, and could never find anything! In addition, i had hard time finding someone who could honestly tell me how i looked in the funky frames i wanted to buy. Could other people be having these same problems? I thought it was possible, so that is how Eye Spy began back in 1998.
Many customers are initially surprised when i tell them that a certain frame does not look good on their face, but I have always told these customers that it does not help me to make a one-time sale. How could it be good to have a customer walking around Chicago in a bad pair of glasses? They would never return to my store, never refer anyone, and most importantly, they would have spent a bunch of money to look bad:-(
I carry handmade, high-quality lines with different shapes and colors, lines that other stores do not have. We travel abroad frequently to achieve this goal. We have fun putting frames on customers that are bit out-of-the-ordinary, and out of a customer's comfort zone...but at the end of the day, we want to make sure that our customers can see well, look fabulous, AND feel great in their glasses.
so...that's the story of Eye Spy!
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I would recommend the eye exams for anyone who needs one and the frames for anyone with money to burn. The prices are high but so is the quality of frames and level of service . Mary is awesome.
Three things that bothered me: 1)The dude has a slight "hipper than thou" attitude. Then again, you've just walked into a place stocking glasses far cooler than any you've ever worn and you asked him to help you find the best ones. Maybe the attitude is warranted. 2) I'm still a little bitter that they wanted to charge me $92 for contacts I was able to buy online for $21. 3)The federal trade commission mandates that you MUST receive a copy of your eye prescription whether you ask for it or not, and the business is not allowed to require that you purchase anything beyond the exam itself. I had to ask several times for my prescription.
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I own two pairs of glasses from Eye Spy (the first is the one I'm wearing in my photo). I've been quite satisfied with the selection and service. I get compliments all the time from people about my glasses. That's why I wandered into the store in the first place, because I wanted something that was unique and stylish, and not something you could find in a mall.
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First of all, the selection is awesome! Glasses from Japan to France, etc, stuff that you probably won't see anywhere else. Honestly, you'll find types of glasses that you never knew existed, like art for the face. I love it. The employees there all great, really friendly and helpful. The main glasses lady, Mary, actually sent me a postcard afterwards. So goddamn nice! And the doctor there is pretty cool too. We discussed retinas and stuff.
Buy glasses from here!! Go Go!!!
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The people here are so helpful in finding the perfect frame for you. They try all sorts of colors and shapes and find the best fit to flatter your face and personality. I never thought that I could have fun buying glasses, but this place proved me wrong. Very stylish, but a little on the pricey side!
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Living in Roscoe Village I had walked by this place dozens of times and always wanted to stop in. This week I finally used their convenient eye exam as an excuse to visit.
When I walked in, I was greeted by the super-cute and friendly staff and offered a makeover (a special event for that day)....I decided to just start with the eye exam but instantly realized this place was a barrel of fun. The eye exam was quick and painless and I left with a set of contacts in my new Rx on the house (never has this happened to me before.)
While my visit this time was mostly utilitarian in nature, I will definitely be back to enjoy their special events (did I mention there was wine and cheese accompanying the makeovers?) and they're wide selection of unique and adorable glasses.
Tip: I heard there is going to be an art opening at their Damen location in the near future....this will surely involved wine and cheese as well.
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Have you seen the movie "Welcome to the Dollhouse"? That was me, age six to about the prom-going years, shopping at the Mythical Janet Reno Eyewear Emporium Of Horrible Glasses. As soon as I could get contact lenses I wore them all the time, because glasses automatically made me feel ugly.
Then I discovered Eye Spy. The staff are friendly and the resident eye doctor is excellent. Their frames are gorgeous and unusual. They will spend a lot of time with you, trying things on, taking digital photos so you can see yourself in the frames. They love helping people find something fantastic.
I'll warn you - the glasses are not cheap. But I get compliments on my glasses every time I leave the house. And they are the kind of frames I'll hang onto pretty much forever and upgrade as my prescription changes, so someday in the future my minions can judge my mood by which pair I've got on. "Red rectangles - Oh no! Brew more coffee, immediately!"
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This "optical bar" amid the Damen Avenue boutique row offers full service for fashion-forward four-eyes. Instead of glancing over the usual array of locked glass cases, the immensely knowledgeable staff will help you find the glasses you never knew you always wanted. These guys really know their stuff, too; they carry avant designs from around the world (including Anne & Valentin's full range, otherwise only available in Paris) and even send the staff around to the factories. Once you've narrowed it down to a few, they'll snap photos and email them to you, your mom, or whoever will make the decision. Post-sale communication and turnaround are equally attentive. Plus, free tea -- a cheap way to buy my vote. The glasses themselves aren't cheap, but neither is this the priciest in town.
UPDATE: they're consolidating into the 3350 N. Lincoln Ave. location.
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Just be ready to pay a bit more for the selection which for me for a long time eye glass wearer...no big deal. Glasses are part accessory these days and I like variety. Staff are knowledgeable which is a big A+++.
I love this place - great service, a huge selection of amazing frames and a very nice doctor! People stop me on the street all the time to ask where I purchased the glasses I bought there last year. Really good stuff. Also, If you are like me and are at all insecure about how your glasses look on you, no fears here, they are very good at helping you pick frames that actually look good on you. I also really like that Eye Spy is locally owned, not a chain, and the owner herself is always behind the counter.
Sadly, they do not accept ANY insurance whatsoever. Drat. Drat. Triple Drat. As this is not an inexpensive place to purchase your frames, this could present a problem. If you have the fundage, however, totally worth every penny.
Will I go again? Absolutely! (Ahem) Once I pay down my grad school loans, that is. Did I already say drat? :)
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I just went here based on the reviews on Yelp... and I was happy they were all indeed on target with this one! The service was awesome and the doc very thorough and informative... yes the glasses are spendy, but they are indeed cute...frames you can't find elsewhere... VERY HAPPY with my experience and the service.
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I haven't bought anything here at Eye Spy, being the poor as dirt college student that I am, but I can rave about the service.
I stepped on my glasses and completely mangled them; lenses out, frames pointing in unnatural directions, ect. When I got to Eye Spy, dispite the fact that I wasn't going to be buying anything and the staff knew it, I recieved immediate, friendly, and most importantly competent service. My glasses were fixed, and I was out of there in minutes.
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I have been wearing glasses since i was 12 y.o. and this was, by far, the best eyeglass experience i have EVER had!! The staff gave me tons of great choices and were VERY HONEST with me, putting pairs away that they told me looked out-right bad! They specialize in frames that are handmade and a bit funky...different shapes and a lot of great colors....so it helps to be open-minded enough to try on things that you might not pick out yourself. You could tell that they wanted to find the perfect pair for me, and not just sell me anything. In fact, i usually cannot even find one pair I like, but at Eye Spy, I routinely find at least three pairs I like, which is just one reason why i have been a happy and faithful customer for over six years:-)
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Everyone here is really friendly, which is a good thing considering most of their product is out of sight, which I wasn't a huge fan of-I like to see everything available.
They have a nice selection of lines. I ended up going to Eyelines because they had the same frames I liked for less money.
You will definitely find some hip looking specs at this store. Whether you want designer flash, vintage look, classic designs or just your basic lens, you will find it here. Prescription glasses and sunglasses are top quality and the service is good.
After reading the reviews and checking out the website, I must admit that I was expecting the worst, in terms of attitude and pretension. But, I need glasses and I was in the neighborhood, and I guess I was feeling sassy that day because I ventured in anyway.
And it was great!
Yep, they're on the pricier end, it's true. But not totally outrageous as these things go - if you're in the market for "better than 1-hour chain," you're in this ballpark by default I think. I was impressed that they have a 2-year warranty, described to me as "you can grind them into the sidewalk and we'll fix it." That's pretty valuable!
I found a pair I liked a lot, and the clerk (Sean, I think) emailed me a digital photo so I could send it around for opinions! He was also good at suggesting frames and honestly vetoing the awful ones without being insulting or anything.
I would have been completely happy to get my glasses at Eye Spy, but I fell for a different style somewhere else.
I'm still afraid of the Damen store, though, where you don't even get to see the options unless they chose to show them to you. That seems weird...
no one here paid attention to what i wanted. they kept trying to force upon me things that obviously did not look good, but kept gushing over how fabulous it was. i understand wanting to sell me something, but don't lie to do it. i need glasses, but am not blind. overall, an offensive experience.
*an additional note to my review. the owner recently emailed me to dispute my experience. strange. she mentioned that they sell more unique product and perhaps it was too extreme for me. i thanked her for the implication that i was merely too uncool to shop in her store and told her that i enjoy funky eyewear, but i want it to actually look good and fit well, not have someone just tell me it looks good.
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