This Kansas City shop is closing after nearly 40 years, and everything’s half off
Optical Innovations started out in 1987 in Westport — first at Manor Square and later at 715 Westport Road.
“We’ve always sold custom, funky, stylish — whatever you want to call it — eyeglasses,” said owner Debbie Gifford. “And we found a lot of repeat customers doing that.”
In 2008, Gifford moved Optical Innovations to 107 W. 63rd St., in Brookside. On Saturday, her nearly 40-year retail run will come to a close. Gifford’s retiring from the brick-and-mortar business.
“More time for travel,” she told a customer Wednesday afternoon. “More time for lunch.”
The store is already partly cleaned out, but several display cases of elegant and eccentric eyeglasses are half-off until close of business Jan. 20. (Optical Innovations won’t put lenses in the frames, though; you’ll have to take them elsewhere for that.)
The UPS Store at 6320 Brookside Plaza is moving and plans to take over the space in the spring.
“I’ve loved being around all these independently owned shops in Brookside,” Gifford said. She gestured across the street, where
“for lease” signs were draped across several windows. “Honestly, I wish there were more of them these days.”
Gerry Optical, an optometrist and eyeglasses retailer in Brookside, remains open at 122 W. 63rd St.
