Looking Good: New Haven's Family-Owned Kennedy & Perkins Opticians Celebrate 80 Years

NEW HAVEN, CT — Since 1946, this family-owned business has been helping New Haven, and beyond, see more clearly. And look good in the process.

On Wednesday, 80 years of "visionary" service at Kennedy & Perkins Opticians was celebrated. Owner Richard Kennedy Jr. and his staff were joined by Yale University Properties, Ward 7 Alder Christine Kim, and New Haven Economic Development officials to commemorate the business's 80th anniversary.

It’s with a sense of pride and accomplishment that Richard Kennedy carries on the business his parents founded eight decades ago, a news release from Yale Properties reads.

Here's their story:

The Kennedy & Perkins brand is built on a strong foundation pioneered by the late Richard L. Kennedy Sr. and Jacqueline Kennedy.

"They wanted to find unique, distinctive, cool eyewear, which was my mom’s job, while my dad was the lab person," Kennedy said. "He was adamant about the quality of the lens work, making sure every prescription was perfect."

Kennedy & Perkins’ legacy of excellence in customer service is rooted in the strong work ethic that Kennedy Sr. learned from his father, Louis Kennedy.

Richard Kennedy Sr. began his career as an optician’s apprentice at Mongillo’s in New Haven, gaining two years of experience before World War II intervened.

"When he came back from the war, he persuaded my grandfather, who was a loan officer at Union Trust Bank, to loan him money to start the business," Kennedy said. "The story goes that my grandfather didn’t want to give my dad the loan, but my grandmother made him do it!”

Kennedy Sr. partnered with Bob Perkins, a friend from his apprenticeship, to launch the business.

Within a few years, Perkins transferred his business interest to Kennedy Sr., who appreciated the strength and reputation associated with the Kennedy & Perkins name and chose to retain it.

His parents were later joined in the operation by their son-in-law, Joseph Dart Messick, opening two more stores before they retired. After Kennedy Jr. joined Messick at the helm, the business expanded with three additional store openings. Kennedy Jr. and Messick worked together for 30 years until Messick’s retirement five years ago.

Since that time, Kennedy & Perkins has built on its legacy of success under Kennedy Jr.’s leadership, with his wife, Susan, playing a key role in managing marketing, communications, and online media.

"I love it, and it’s the only thing I’ve ever really done," Kennedy said. "Hopefully, we’ll get to 100 years."