West Chester Area Small Business Spotlight: Visionary Eyewear

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA — There’s a story lurking behind the glass pane of every shop, and there’s oftentimes an innovative individual whose entrepreneurial spirit is helping to shape the town.

Our small business series shines a light on local business owners in the community.

Business: Visionary Eyewear

Owners: Michael Della Polla

Website: http://visionaryeyewear-nts.com/

Address: 3550 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073

What business are you in? Eyewear Business

How did you come up with the name? "My wife and I came up with it...we wanted to have the newest, most "visionary" eyewear in the area. It's also a great play on words."

Why start a business in this town? "I grew up in Havertown, and then moved to Wayne where we started a family. We have lived in TE for the last 30 years, and Newtown Square is nice and close and is a great community which is close to TE."

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner? "Keeping up with big companies like 1800-Contacts and Pearl Vision can also be difficult since people only want products for cheap prices. Having the cheapest prices does usually means it's not the best quality, and our customers know that, which is why we have been in business for 25 years and counting."

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening? "My proudest achievement is being able to say that we have been open for over 25 years! I also love having costumers I have known for years come in to me year after year. We have some that started coming in and getting glasses with us when they are kids and now they come in with kids of their own! It's great to have such an amazing customers who have supported the business for so long."

How does your business give back to the community? "We like to give special discounts out for valuable people in the area on certain occasions- like teachers, firefighters, etc. We also tend to give to local charities and food banks."

Know of or own a small local business deserving of the spotlight? Email justin.heinze@patch.com.

Image courtesy Randolph Engineering.