Editor's note: The Business Journal will be running regular features on area businesses and how they are adjusting operations, innovating and coping in general with the economic impacts of the coronavirus. For story or subject suggestions, email [email protected].
Last year, CustomEyes
opened in the South Front District with the goal of offering unique frames in a relaxed, optical boutique setting.
Now, the shop, at 1540 S. Second St., is offering a unique way of measuring for lenses while maintaining a safe distance from clients.
Because it is an eye care provider, CustomEyes is considered an essential business and has remained open as the region continues implementing efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“CustomEyes has been open all along, as we do not do eye exams, and have set up strict protocols for either in-house visitation or remote eyewear design and delivery,” owner Greg Owen said.
Like other businesses in the community, CustomEyes has had to adapt, limiting the number of clients it can see, staggering employee working hours and using new methods to continue to keep its one employee on the payroll and provide lenses to clients, even without them leaving their homes.
“We have had several sales, of course, the cash flow is very limited, but it is satisfying to help those in need," Gregor said. “We have canceled some TV advertising our group of businesses [at the South Front District] had filmed and contracted together and will run them after businesses get back open here at South Front.”
CustomEyes also started offering discount eyewear to first responders, health care workers, grocery and essential business employees and hospitality staff.
GWBJ: How did the business have to adapt in these times?
Greg Owen: “We adapted our normal business schedule by splitting our shifts, so we are no longer working side-by-side and work the shop alone. We luckily had consistently purchased plenty of anti-bacterial detergents, and Dominic worked up a bleach solution for wiping all countertops that were not wood, including all surfaces of the door handles, the entire bathroom, and all lab surfaces and machines, the phones and computer keyboards. We both have thermometers and test ourselves at least once per day and report to each other the results.
"If anyone wants a personal visit, we limit the group to three, including ourselves as the single professional."
"We try to be subtle, but question travel and personal medical data before agreeing to an appointment. We do not let clients handle frames, but they browse at distance and point to select, we grab the frame and wipe with our supply of 70% alcohol wipes, then place the frame on the table for them to try on, and then if not selected, have them move away, grab the frame, return with wiping to the shelf and we repeat as necessary.”
GWBJ: How are you currently doing measurements?
Owen: “For our measurements, instead of intimate contact for measuring the parameters necessary for an exact lens design, we have set up a tripod and take a few pictures of the client wearing the frame selected from six feet away front view, and from six feet away side view. They are holding a small card, wiped of course, which has a known measured length, and we can use our computers to set sizes and measurements from the pictures rather than using our instruments which usually have to touch the client."
GWBJ: What are the current lens needs in the community?
Owen: “I think the most common needs are adjustment and repair of glasses that are now being used more than normal. We also had several deliveries to make of sales made before the shutdown. We also have done a pair of glasses for a desperate college student, sent home from school without her glasses and needing to do some work and study at home with her parents.
“Also, we are very motivated to block dangerous blue light for people working more than normal on digital tablets, PCs, smartphones and laptops. We are certified specialists in designing eyewear exactly suited to the special close distances needed to focus on such screens, compared to looking at distances while driving for instance. That close exposure is damaging, and our lens designs we use are simply the best to filter such high energy wavelengths, called HEV light. These seem to be the most needed services during the shutdown.”
GWBJ: What is the method that you have developed to provide services with the client at home?
Owen: “We have developed a hands-off method for our clients that can take care of the consultation, the selection of the perfect frame, the lens design, and the delivery of custom prescription eyewear without anyone having to leave their home. First, a personal phone call is critical. We discuss the styling preferences just as we would if they came to our shop. We are highly motivated to match lifestyle, personal tastes and the personality of each client to the perfect eyewear.
"We find out ergonomics and specifics about work, hobbies, recreational activities, and generally how each person feels the glasses should reflect their very personal tastes. After that discussion, we encourage our clients to send a picture of themselves, preferably wearing their current pair of glasses to get an idea of facial shape and skin tone. Then we send pictures of frames we recommend to them to check out. If we hit upon ones they really like, we can mail them to them for a tryout."
"Once we find the fit they love, we have them do our pictorial measurement set up at home, using a card we supply, or the reverse side of their driver’s license. This will calibrate the frame size on film and allow us to design perfectly placed lenses with precise measurements taken remotely. They have to hold the license in a specific place, demonstrated with an email image of the method, and we will need a profile and a headshot, from a specific distance, six feet if necessary, or three feet if by a person they are already isolated with.”
