AMERICA’S FINEST 2024 SPONSORS An America’s Finest 10 years in the conjuring. It’s serendipitous that the winning owner of INVISION’s 2024 America’s Finest Optical Retailers contest appeared in our pages a decade ago describing the dream optical he would one day like to own just as we celebrate our own 10th anniversary. We can’t help but feel it’s a bit prescient. It would be hard not to be impressed with what Chris Wheaton has accomplished with North Optical in Portland, ME. Our fortune-telling talents aside, this year’s judges clearly agreed. Though it no doubt requires a little bit of sorcery to build a successful business while remaining staunchly committed to your values of warm authenticity and uncompromising quality of goods and services, North Optical’s trajectory of success is still a bit preternatural. Wheaton and his team have concocted a business that is simultaneously analog — think local makers, a robust art program, and grassroots community outreach — and state-of the-art — custom Spotify playlists, an in-house finishing lab, and curated social media presence. It is old world meets new. Old-fashioned meets modern. Fantasy meets reality. But it isn’t the only bit of magic we discovered in this year’s contest. From legacy businesses to concierge outfits, our full roster of Honorable Mentions, highlighted on page 40, have cast their very own spells… WINNER NORTH OPTICALPORTLAND, ME HONORABLE MENTION EYE DESIGNSMAMARONECK, NY HONORABLE MENTION SERGEANT BLUFF EYECARESERGEANT BLUFF, IA HONORABLE MENTION EYEWEAR LOVE AFFAIREMERYVILLE, CA HONORABLE MENTION BLACK OPTICALFORT WORTH, TX HONORABLE MENTION SHERMAN EDMONDS, WA HONORABLE MENTION EYE LABSCOTTSDALE , AZ HONORABLE MENTION FOCAL POINTBERKELEY, CA HONORABLE MENTION ASTORIA VISION MCALLEN, TX HONORABLE MENTION VISION TRENDS BY DR. SCOTT KEATINGDOVER, OH AMERICA’S FINEST 2024 SPONSORS MEET THE JUDGES Dave Barton Co-founder & CEO, Optify San Diego, CA Dave Barton is a seasoned optician and ABO speaker on omni-channel trends in the industry. Having worked in product design/development for top brands and built a successful DTC startup with innovative lens tech, he brings over 10 years of experience in the luxury eyewear sector. dave@optifyonline.com. Jenn Denham Head of Business Development, Review Wave McKinney, TX Jenn Denham has spent the last 15 years building growth marketing strategies ranging from local businesses to Fortune 500 companies and is now the Head of Business Development at Review Wave. She’s brought her experience and passion for practice growth to the America’s Finest Optical Retailers contest with an eye toward the finalists’ digital footprint and modern patient journey. jenn@reviewwave.com. David Duralde Chief Creative Officer, OGI Eyewear Minneapolis, MN Inspired by good design and the pursuit of it, David’s career started in 1985 at l.a.Eyeworks after completing his B.A. at UCLA. He went on to design collections for Signature Eyewear, Kenmark, Safilo USA, and currently as the Chief Creative Officer at OGI Eyewear — a division of The Optical Foundry. His designs have graced over 65 million faces for more than 50 brands. david.duralde@ogieyewear.com. Jan Ennis President/CEO, Ennco Display Systems Redmond, WA Jan Ennis is the President/CEO of Ennco Display Systems. He has worked in every facet of the optical industry since 1975 after graduating from the University of Richmond. His experience spans sales and product development in the wood, plastics, optics and software industries. He founded L&L Optical, Vendesic, Inc., Vision Warehouse LLC, and Ennco Display, and acquired Magic Design in 2012. janennis@ennco.com. Paige Kraemer ABOC, Sales Consultant – Minnesota, Cherry Optical Lab Green Bay, WI Paige Kraemer has been in the optical industry for over 17 years; she has worked for large retail chains, managed an independent optical shop, and has been an independent frame rep. In April 2023, with friends and colleagues, Paige founded the 10,000 Frames Midwest Eyewear Show, an independent show in Minneapolis, MN. She is proud to be Cherry Optical Lab’s Minnesota Sales Consultant. pkraemer@cherryopticallab.com.
