CARLSON-TILLISCH EYE CLINIC
MANKATO, MN
Founded in 1909, Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic was originally two separate clinics, each run by members of the Carlson and Tillisch families. In the 1980s, Dr. Dale Carlson and Dr. Skip Tillisch merged the clinics and in 1989 they opened a secondary location in New Ulm, MN. The current owners started as associate doctors at the practice: Dr. G. John Lach became a partner in 2004 after Dr. Tillisch retired, and Dr. Matthew Downs became a partner in 2008 when Dr. Carlson retired. In 2018 Carlson-Tillisch Eye Clinic upgraded to its new location, the 8,640 sq. ft space in Mankato where it currently resides. The practice has won Mankato’s Best Eye Exam Clinic six times and in 2021 it was inducted into the Greater Mankato Growth Business Hall of Fame.
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SIGHTS & SHADES
CANANDAIGUA, NY
Sights and Shades was born from a kids movie idea … See a need fill a need. Canandaigua has many options for eye doctors but no optical boutiques. A need! Owner Jennifer Yerden planned it for many years and in March of 2022 she was signing leases and loans. She officially opened in June 2022. She offers unique lines, some exclusive, and doesn’t repeat a color in her ophthalmic frames. Her clients love knowing they will be unique. She doesn’t apologize for her pricing and she doesn’t take insurance.
EYE LOVE SPEARFISH
SPEARFISH, SD
This family-friendly office proudly serves Spearfish and its surrounding areas. The Eye Love philosophy begins with treating every patient as family and providing premium eyecare to the community. Dr. Antwan Randolph, an Indiana University School of Optometry graduate, and his wife Chelsea provide advanced technologies to ensure no eye condition goes undiagnosed and proper, individualized treatment is always provided in 500 sq. ft featuring brands like Ethnicity, Eyes of Faith, Ray-Ban, and Blackfin.
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DUMAS VISION SOURCE
DUMAS, TX
Dr. Tory Moore started his practice cold in his hometown after graduating in 1990. His first office was 900 sq. ft inside a hallway of a mall with one employee. Growth was almost entirely by wordofmouth referrals and five years later he moved into a 2,000 sq. ft. office a local OD was leaving. After 10 years, his growth had plateaud and he felt limited in
terms of space. In 2007, he purchased a 20,000 sq. ft. lot with 115 frontage feet on the same street closer to the side of town with more of his target market. In 2016, all the pieces lined up to take a leap of faith to build his new building… something that didn’t look like every other optical.
EYES ON YOU
SEATTLE, WA
Eyes On You makes another appearance in the America’s Finest ranks thanks to its brandnew location. This is owner Dr. Evie Lawson’s third optometry business startup and an all-new design and re-imagination of their original location, which placed second in this contest in 2020. This iteration transports clients back in time to the art deco era with three distinct spaces visitors can explore: The optical space where eye exams are performed in one of three exam rooms and a frame bar allows customers to try on highend eyewear; the day spa, which includes two separate spa suites where RF, IPL and spa services from a master aesthetician/RN on staff are performed; and their Sun Room, which houses an exclusive collection of the sunglasses showcased in natural light.
THE NOVEL EYE
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI
What started as a mere dream of opening an independent optical quickly become a reality for owners Anthony and Kristen Rebello. An owner-operated family business that specializes in independent eyewear labels from the U.S., E.U. and Japan, they officially opened for business in July 2022 and haven’t looked back. Their town was named the 2022 “Best Historic Small Town” by USA Today just three weeks before they opened their doors, providing a marketing boost in their Wickford Village location; a time capsule of a place with many of the homes and structures dating back to the late 1600s and early 1700s.
KINDRED OPTICS
MAITLAND, FL
Kindred Optics at Maitland Vision was founded in 1971, when Orlando optometrist Dr. Robert Willson purchased the practice from Dr. Terry Taylor. The clinic has changed locations over the years, but their underlying philosophy of providing the best quality optometry and eyecare services in Central Florida has never changed. Dr. Ryan Schott joined the practice in 2012 and purchased it from Dr. Willson in 2014. They pride themselves on working with small businesses and ensuring they utilize the best quality brands and companies in the industry. Working only independent optical labs and featuring some of the best independent eyewear brands out there, they also use the most up to date technologies on the market and are home to the number one contact lens trial study site in America under Dr. Bradley Giedd.
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SPECTACLES
GREAT NECK, NY
Dr. Philip Meltzer opened Spectacles in April of 1988. As an optician first, then an optometrist, Dr. Meltzer has a unique perspective on both the optical and medical side of optometry. Spectacles has continued to thrive in an ever-changing retail landscape, as well as a changing Great Neck community. His daughter, Dr. Erica Meltzer, joined the practice in 2022, and together they 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. As a small familyoperated business, they pride themselves on their customer service and treat each individual patient and customer as family.
RESPECT EYECARE
CALGARY, AB, CANADA
Owner Dr. Steven Hoang had a dream that a visit to an optometrist’s office didn’t have to look, feel, or be the same as everywhere else. He wanted everyone’s experience to be less medically sterile and more warm and cozy. Respect Eyecare opened in November 2019 in the Inglewood neighborhood of Calgary. Inspired by coffee shops and modern libraries, they offer a more modern, hip approach to clients while eliminating the bottleneck receptionist desk, phone calls, and dusty glass frame displays.
