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The close-knit family at Annapolis Opticians marches to the beat of their own drum. In the words of second-generation optician and owner, Graham Corby, “We aren’t like other glasses shops, and that’s how we like it.”
For 52 years, Annapolis Opticians has thoughtfully combined old-fashioned craftsmanship with unique fashion. They serve a clientele who know that their glasses aren’t just a medical device, but a constant accessory. Your glasses should make a statement that represents you, and Annapolis Opticians offers an unparalleled collection in a sophisticated, comfortable, and spacious environment so you can see the world in style. All of the opticians are voluntarily board-certified through the American Board of Opticianry, which is not a requirement in the state of Maryland, but makes all the difference.
In the back of their shop in the Gardner Center on Forest Drive is a finishing lab where the lenses in every pair of glasses they sell are still cut, polished, and assembled in house, mostly by ABOC optician Adam Johnson. An on-site lab is a true rarity in the industry today. Most shops, particularly those who accept vision insurance, outsource their lab work to a high-volume regional lab where they simply don’t have the time or expertise to make glasses to the same standards. No job is too specialized or difficult. The opticians love a challenge, like a pair of 14-karat gold pince-nez frames from the 1940s that were brought in and fitted with modern lenses.
Julianna Corby and Nic Persinger, the daughter and son-in-law of longtime owner Douglas Corby, select the frames in the showroom. They prioritize finding independent manufacturers who still make frames by hand in countries with reputations for excellent craftsmanship and meet the designers and founders to see if the fit is right. In the storefront, you’ll find clear and sunglass frames made in Japan, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the United States. Annapolis Opticians values supporting manufacturers who treat their employees fairly, are environmentally-conscious, and who care enough to use the best materials and craft frames the way they should be made.
Persinger explains, “We made a conscious decision to distinguish ourselves from big conglomerates in the glasses industry. Part of it was because we don’t like how they treat independent shops like us, but an even bigger factor was that customers don’t get the same value for their money. They buy the rights to recognizable brands, shift production to China, and raise prices. We don’t think it’s fair to charge customers more money for an inferior product. I wouldn’t feel right selling a ‘high end’ frame to someone when it’s made of cheap materials and stamped with a designer logo.”
Annapolis Opticians is dedicated to problem-solving for their clients. They’ve built a reputation for helping people see clearly when other shops just couldn’t cut it. Julianna Corby says she loves when new customers come to the store who say progressive lenses have never worked for them in the past. “I know that 99 times out of 100, the reason they didn’t work before is because they weren’t made correctly. Either measurements weren’t taken well, or an inferior lens was ordered for the patient, or the lenses weren’t made to spec. It’s so gratifying to fit those patients’ new glasses and hear back from them after a few days and they tell me how excited they are that they can actually see.”
“We’re so grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to serve our clients for the past five decades,” says owner Graham Corby. “I feel so fortunate to be able to continue my family business. I’m looking forward to the next half-century making glasses in Annapolis.”
Learn more at https://www.annapolisopticians.com/
