Optical Works Eyewear

Marcie, the new owner, is awesome. Not only did she help me pick out some new frames that suit me, and that I love, but she is a delight to work with. When I was recently in getting my frames adjusted a man stopped by to say hi to her – he had so enjoyed working with her on his sunglasses that he wanted to update her about his new job. That’s a great sign – and I’m glad to have Marcie and her shop in the neighborhood.

I got a pair of online glasses that were too loose for my face. I walked into this store to see if they could help me, and voila! A very nice bearded fellow sized me up and took them into the back and fixed them for free. Nice service here and cool eyewear!

Special thanks to Santos who helped me out when my glasses broke while on vacation. Your kindness is appreciated. If you are looking for great customer service and a fantastic frame selection, check this place out.

My experience here was great. I have been putting off getting a new pair of prescription glasses for years. It is usually one of my least favorite things to do. I always feel like it is a big decision that costs hundreds and once you settle on a frame you have to love it for a long time. And more often than not– I end up regretting what I chose. When I went to Optical Works, I was pleasantly surprised. I found frames that I just love! And the whole process went extremely smooth. I was in and out within minutes and I walked out of the store being super excited about them. I didn’t have the slightest feeling like I just made a questionable decision.
That made me very happy. Now, I receive so many compliments about my glasses. Thank you Optical Works!

DISPUTE RESOLVED!
On Jan 8 I left my good ol’ Matsuda eyeglasses at Optical Works Eyewear on Polk for minor repairs and clip-​ons, and only after 2 mo did they admit they had lost them! Owner Scott Balestreri asked me to choose a replacement from his stock, but there was nothing there I would wear. I found frames on the Matsuda website similar to those lost, and asked Scott to get them for me. He agreed, touting his extraordinary customer service in being willing to replace old eyeglasses with new (overlooking *why* it was necessary). Weeks went by while he «tried to get them», and eventually I realized the problem was that he would only pay wholesale, meaning that one of his colleagues who carried this «premium brand» would have to extend him «professional courtesy», which apparently none of them would do.
I then went to SF Optics on Chestnut and bought the frames myself on the promise that Scott would make it up by replacing the lenses & clips (which he could do at little cost at his «Bad Ass Optical» factory). Unfortunately, when I brought the new frames to his shop, his optician neglected to take the necessary measurements. At this point, I had visited Optical Works perhaps 2 dozen times and exchanged about the same number of emails, but agreed to come to his shop yet again, at a time he chose. Apparently there was miscommunication about whether he would be at his shop waiting for me (my assumption), or vice versa (his), and we missed each other. Scott then phoned me to say he was very busy and couldn’t meet again for several weeks. He accused me of not wanting to resolve the problem, yelled that he was «locking his door», and hung up. Yikes! I got my frames back, took them to The Ocularium on Chestnut for lenses & clips, and after 4 mo of having to stumble around wearing an outdated prescription, can finally see properly.
UPDATE: After sending Scott a «demand letter», we exchanged a few emails, and I think he came to realize that he’d screwed up, He’s agreed to reimburse my replacement costs, and I’m OK with that.
My Unilocal review, it seems to me, was critical to getting an acceptable resolution of this dispute, without lingering hostilities.

Felice was very kind helping me explore options for a pair of broken frames bought elsewhere. I highly recommend this brick and mortar shop in tech-​land and will shop here with my next prescription.

Very knowledgable staff here. Interesting vintage frames. I would never know it was a vintage shop walking past the storefront. They have frames everywhere but they aren’t for everyone. You really need to be committed and going for that vintage look. With vintage comes with priciness. The frames my sister liked we’re $ 300.
The place is clean inside and cutely decorated. Stop by if you’re strolling down Polk. Oh, you can also hold frames for a few days if you need time to decide.

Great collection of original eyewear that you can’t seem to find anywhere else. Unfortunately, you need the budget to pay for them, as most frames are $ 300+.

Incredible selection of new and absolutely stunning vintage frames. Top it off with outstanding, attentive service. My VSP optometrist was so smitten with my bitchin’ frames, he gave me a discount on new Rx lenses that I wasn’t remotely eligible for.
I’d rate the price range as pricey, but certainly not compared to Rims & Goggles or other boutique optical establishments.

Impressive selection, knowledgeable staff, & truly exceptional customer service. This place has revived my faith in humanity while simultaneously shielding my eyes from harmful UVB light and giving me that über-​stylish look I’ve been searching for all these years. Please, do what I did and buy your frames from Optical Works.
Santos was incredibly helpful and over the course of many visits led me to the frames of my dreams. And Scott, the owner, is the most reasonable business-​owner I’ve interacted with in a long while.

I’ve been wearing Vintage Frames for ten years. The gaudier, the better.
I was immediately smitten when I walked in and was greeted with wall (s!!!) of frames that had the most pristine rhinestones and rosettes. These are not some musty, warped frames you see at a junk sale. These frames have been well cared for. Gitch-​y.
The employees are very helpful as well. I was greeted by a well dressed Gent that helped me find the perfect frame to fit my face shape. Since summer is approaching, I’ll be back for sunglasses.

This store has an amazing selection of frames. The styles are more unique than the usual frame stores — I especially love their vintage. The opticians are really helpful in finding what looks good and they know their stuff. The turn around for my lenses was fast and I love my new sunglasses!

Oh my god vintage heaven! I’m offended I didn’t know about this place before today. They are fairly new (with an older location in Oakland called Phoenix that I’ve heard very good things about). Rebecca was very sweet and helped me pick out the most perfect (for me) original 60s sunglasses and it was so much fun. There were so many amazingly special frames that I want and will be back the second I get my prescription updated! I prefer very funky, out-​there stuff but for those who don’t, they also have modern and simple glasses. Amazing.

I LOVE the styles these guys carry. I am very picky with what I where and I have never been let down with them. Customer service was good as well.

The selection is great, and Scott is fabulous. I haven’t been this happy with glasses in a very long time.
I have a prescription that isn’t easy to fill. I need a prism in my lenses, and I also need bifocals. I understand from other opticians that it’s hard to put those two together — that single lenses are far more simple with the prism. I purchased two pair from Optical Works — one clear and one tinted — and both were perfect. It’s not unheard of for a lab to get it right the first time, but the fact that both were perfect on the first go really pleased me.
Not only that, but the lenses are clearer and easier to see through than any other lens I’ve ever had. I had pretty much decided not to get anti reflective coating, because I’ve had such bad luck with it – at some of the more expensive places in town, I’ve had the AR coating get discolored (it looks like dust or dirt on the glasses but it doesn’t come off). Scott assured me that their lab’s AR coating was reliably high quality and I trusted him. And I was right to trust him. Their lab really is amazing.
We took advantage of the discounts related to the opening of the store, but even at full price, Optical Works offers great deals. When my SO went to my optometrist to have his prescription checked, he happened to have with him a pair that he wanted updated. Not realizing that there would be both a price and quality differential, he left the pair with the optometrist. He really regrets having done so. They did a terrible job for 2.5 times what Scott charged to update another pair for him.
I’m about to order my third pair from Optical Works and I think I’ve found my permanent home for glasses. Nothing beats high quality, excellent pricing, and friendly customer service!

Amazing place with a great selection of frames, a lot of them vintage. Scott was incredibly helpful in helping me pick the frames that suited my face best and worked with my prescription (my eyesight is horrible and he made sure to pick frames that would hide my lens thickness best). I received my frames in less than a week (I had to order special lens-​like I said, horrible eyesight).
I haven’t been this happy with a pair of glasses in over 10 years.

This place has a great selection of vintage, one-​of-​a-​kind frames (think glasses that Grandpas, librarians, and hipsters wear) for affordable prices. The employees are super friendly and patient, making suggestions and helping you figure out which frame suits you best.
The Boy and I were looking for a pair of prescription sunglasses and found a great wire frame, made with titanium, that was offered in bronze or silver. The salesperson who helped us was really flexible, popping in different tinted lenses into each frame and even shading a clear frame with a black sharpie in order to approximate grey lenses (as they didn’t have any in the store at that moment).
We took advantage of their current sale (20% off all lenses for their soft opening) and bought the frame + polarized prescription lenses for under $ 400. We’re looking forward to coming back next weekend to pick up the Boy’s super-​cool new lenses. Thanks again Optical Works!