Spring Valley Optical Going On 40-Plus Years As Family Business

Michael Smith started working at Spring Valley Optical in 1990, but has really seen the eyeglass industry explode in the last 10 or so years.

“There are glasses with all different colors and sizes. It’s much more exciting,” he said. “It’s much more about your own style. Glasses have become much more of an accessory. They still have a function, obviously, but many more people see them as part of their fashion now. Some people even have more than one pair they wear regularly.”

Smith thinks that comes from a combination of people’s attitudes toward glasses, as well as the companies that put them out.

“Everything used to look much more similar,” he said. “Companies were all trying to fit into this smaller world of what they knew would sell, which was a similar looking style and all black or brown.”

Smith remembers seeing walls full of similar-looking frames at Spring Valley Optical when his father, Dr. David Smith, opened it back in 1965. His father retired shortly after Smith joined him in 1990.

The shop originally was in Spring Valley across from the flea market. In 1999, it moved to its current location in Nanuet at 45 E. Route 59.

“It was harder to draw people to that location from all over the county,” Michael Smith said. “It wasn’t convenient. We want to serve the whole county.”

Smith said another way the practice tries to serve as many people as possible is by carrying a wide array of frames. He said he thinks his store, which also conducts eye examinations, has the largest selection of designer frames in Rockland. He said Spring Valley Optical carries about 25 designers’ lines, including Bvlgari, Lafont, Burberry, Gucci and plenty of others.

“We had maybe eight styles of glasses in five sizes when we opened up,” Smith said. “Now we have about 1,000 frames. We have plastic frames, which was a huge change in the industry. We have all different lenses.”

Right now, Smith said the “geek chic” look is very popular.

“We have tons of people coming in and purchasing frames they said bring back horrible memories from glasses they wore as children,” he said. “They’re a bit updated and modern looking now, but still look very similar to the glasses from years ago. There’s even an industry online of people who just replace the lenses on old pairs of glasses.”

Smith said he thinks what else might set Spring Valley Optical apart is the service.

“We want our customers to feel comfortable, both in the service and the pricing,” Smith said. “I think we’re very fairly priced. We’ve found that if people feel comfortable, they’re likely to come back the next time they need an examination or want a new pair of glasses.”

He said his practice has state-of-the-art eye examination equipment, as well. While it can be hard for a locally-owned business currently, Smith said Spring Valley Optical has a unique presence as  a retail store and medical facility, which helps. He also doesn’t feel like his practice competes with large chains.

“We’re in a good place,” Smith said. “I think the people who are buying at the big chains in a mall or wherever, they’re more impulsive buys. They’re walking by and decided to stop in and get a new pair of glasses. As for other practices, I think we have a large selection of designer frames and high-end examination equipment.”