Spectacles, Great Neck, NY
OWNER: Philip Meltzer, OD; URL: spectaclesgn.com; FACEBOOK: facebook.com/SpectaclesofGreatNeck; INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/spectaclesgn; FOUNDED: 1988; AREA: 700 sq. ft.; TOP BRANDS: Face á Face Mykita, Oliver Peoples, Barton Perreira, Chanel, Dior, Varilux Comfort DRX, Johnson & Johnson, Oasys 1-Day & 1 Day Moist, Alcon Dailies Total 1 & Total 1 Multi, Alcon Precision1; EMPLOYEES: 3 part-time
Philip Meltzer, OD
WHEN DR. PHILIP Meltzer opened Spectacles in 1988, he was just four years into his optometry career, but already a seasoned ECP, having been an optician for many years before entering optometry school. His unique perspective, encompassing the optical and medical sides of eyecare, set Spectacles apart from the outset and has helped it thrive in an ever-evolving retail landscape, as well as the rapidly changing Great Neck community.
Dr. Philip’s daughter Dr. Erica Meltzer entered the practice in 2022, carrying on its ethos of treating every customer like family.
As a corner store wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides, Spectacles is bathed in light — and a natural window-shopping destination. The bright, airy store’s décor is “minimalist and modern,” says Dr. Erica, so as “to not distract from the amazing eyewear we carry,” with frames displayed in free-rolling cases to assist browsing.
Advertisement
Through a hallway, the exam room and contact lens fitting area are filled with more personalized touches and conversation starters including family photos and sports memorabilia. The aesthetic is clean and modern while managing to stay warm and homey, says Dr. Erica.
Such is the team’s confidence in their service and frame selection — currently dominated by Face á Face, Mykita, Chopard, Chanel, Fendi, Barton Perreira and Dita — that Spectacles gets by largely on word-of-mouth. “We are honest with patients and never try to sell anything that we don’t truly love for them. Our patients know they can trust our recommendations.”
With its corner location and floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides, the optical at Spectacles is always bathed in light.
Staff strive to create a personal, collaborative experience. Customers and patients are even encouraged to come behind the counter and try on any frame they’d like off the display boards. According to Dr. Philip: “Every patient will receive a phone call from one of our staff members, including the owner, the doctors, or the front staff for their appointments, glasses, contacts, etc.” In the exam rooms, he explains, “equipment is largely manual, because we believe in the personalized patient experience and the human element. We are easy to communicate with via phone, email, website, and text message if needed. Even on a day off, we are so connected to the daily operations of the office and happy to check-in to help with anything.”
That’s not to say the latest tech isn’t made use of where appropriate. The practice recently purchased an Eidon Wide Field Fundus Camera, and both doctors are enjoying the way it allows them to be even more hands-on, involving patients in their eye health and vision. Patients love to see the photos, and the camera is a great example of tech opening up discussions about eyes as well as general health, they say.
Same-day glasses are available in a range of prescriptions thanks to Spectacles’ basement lab, with Varilux Comfort DRX, Crizal Avancé, Transitions and Zeiss SmartLife being the top lenses. Spectacles’ impressive array of CL offerings is led by Dailies Total 1, Total 1 Multifocal, Precision 1 Astigmatism, J&J Oasys 1 Day, J&J Oasys 1 Day For Astigmatism, MyDay Multifocal and MiSight Myopia Management.
Advertisement
Spectacles’ digital presence has been “exploding,” says Dr. Erica, with strong Instagram and Facebook content ranging from the latest designer eyewear to helpful contact lens tips, medical advice and more. “Our videos and photos are always engaging and we’ve created a strong community of followers who love to see what we’ll put out next. Everyone in the office gets involved and has lots of laughs creating our content.”
Many on the team have been with Spectacles a long time — some upwards of 15 years. To Dr. Philip, this continuity — and the relationships it has allowed the practice to build with patients — is a point of pride. “As some of us are family, it’s an extremely close-knit group.
Our staff has had the ability to grow in their roles and have a true insight into all aspects of our operations,” he says, adding that everyone wears multiple hats and helps each other out in any way possible. “We are looking forward to carrying on the tradition of excellent medical care, the latest and greatest eyewear styles, and that family feeling for the next 35 years and beyond.”
Five Cool Things About Spectacles
1. HEAD START. Thanks to his years of opticianry prior to entering optometry school, Dr. Philip was a handy resource for his peers and even taught them during his optics courses!
2. LONG-DISTANCE STYLING. Staff help longtime patients who no longer live locally pick out frames over FaceTime, then ship them out. “We know their style, their ideal frame fit, and their tastes so well, and there’s no one else they trust,” says Dr. Philip.
3. CLEAR THE DECKS. For the newly introduced March Madness sale, a table in the optical is dedicated to moving stagnant merchandise for the whole month, says Dr. Erica, “right before we check out everything new and exciting at Vision Expo East.”
4. HOG HEAVEN. Patients are allowed to come in and shop entire collections when the store has a sales rep in for a brand the team knows they love.
5. THIS JUST IN! Photos of new releases and styles are sent out to select patients who love to see what’s new and exciting.
PHOTO GALLERY (15 IMAGES)
JUDGES’ COMMENTS
- With a unique perspective on both the medical and ophthalmic side of the business, Spectacles delivers an engaging and satisfying eyecare experience. With… independent eyewear brands and exemplary service and care, this independent business shines. — David Duralde, Chief Creative Officer, OGI Eyewear, Minneapolis, MN
- What’s better than a fatherdaughter duo that knows great style and how to market? … I can’t think of anything either! Fell in love with these two while scrolling through their Instagram. Patient-focused fun with style and personality makes this a winning team! — Jenn Denham, Head of Business Development, Review Wave, McKinney, TX
- The longevity in the community and the father/daughter aspect make this business stand out! — Paige Kraemer, ABOC, Sales Consultant – Minnesota, Cherry Optical Lab, Green Bay, WI
Fine Story
Community presence has always been important to Dr. Philip. “As the storefronts in Great Neck have changed over the decades, we are proud to be one of the original retailers and one of the constants here. Our longevity and relationships with patients have enabled us to become part of a community that we don’t actually reside in,” he says, adding that he and his team have been invited to patient weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and other events. “We’ve embraced our community, learning eye-related phrases in the prominent languages here, like Farsi. We’ve gotten more involved, sitting on panels, sponsoring school events, and more.”
