I have had so many great experiences at The Optic Shop in South Tampa until today. I love working with Gil and have been shopping for my sunglasses and progressive eye wear with him and 2 others over 10 years. Gil was not there unfortunately. Instead Cory Puma was. He handed me my new sunglasses that had made me so dizzy wearing them the first 3 days, I brought them in to ask Sue's help. She sent them out for a different lens material.Today, the replacement lenses were a little better but very blurry on the right lens. I explained that the 9 year old sunglasses that I bought here, still wear were still perfect and never blurry. He pulled my files and said "you didn't get those lenses from here!" I repeated that I only shop there and definitely did purchase them with Gil behind him on that wall. He repeated that I must have gone somewhere else. I said "are you calling me a liar??" He said "you definitely went somewhere else not here" I said quietly with a customer standing behind me; " you are out of line" and he yelled "YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN". I looked at Sue who's said absolutely nothing to support me after being her customer for years; "I will need a refund. You are my witness to all of this" . I left my $1000 paid glasses with her and walked out. I still cannot believe anyone could treat such a valued customer so horribly, Kim read more

Phenomenal. The service is second to none. Brett and Gil spent almost an hour making sure I got the right frames for the shape of my face. I must have tried more than 25 pair of glasses... I eventually bought 3. All beautiful and exclusive, nothing you would find almost anywhere else. If you want a deal, though, this is not the place to get it- you pay for what you get. read more

Always a great experience! Fixed glasses twice, saving me hundreds in new eyewear. Service and value exceeded expectations.

The owner of this store is so helpful and generous- he fixed both of my sunglasses and didn't charge me when I tried to pay. He also has a keen eye for finding frames to fit your personal face shape! read more

Cheap people won't like this place. If price is a main concern and you're looking to spend less than $150 then I would suggest going somewhere else b/c I don't think anything in here cost less than that. However, if you want the perfect pair of premium sunglasses that fit your face and look not good but great, then come here. You'll be spending a couple hounded dollars, at least, but you'll get what you really want. Gill (owner) is like a scientist when it comes to glasses. And I don't know how he does it. He looks at your face and picks out a pair for you to try on. You could call the the "starter pick."He trying to get a sense of your style. Then he picks up another pair and adjusts them and you try on another pair. And you follow him all around the store until you find the perfect pair. We went through at least 10 pairs until we found one. Sometimes it takes 1 and he hits it out the park immediately and sometimes it takes 30+ tries. But he always finds the right pair.... He takes into account the shape of your face, skin tone, and style to find that perfect pair of sunglasses for you. The other woman that works there is really good as well. She found my friend a great pair of Jacque Marie sunglasses the last time I was there. Speaking of Jacque Marie sunglasses, those are his best. Ask for them. That's what I wanted when I went in there but they just didn't fit right on my face so I went with another one he found. Very impressed with not just the glasses but the whole experience. Highly recommended! Note: when I walked in this women (thik she's a nurse because she was in scrubs) was just so excited about her Jacque Marie sunglasses. She said everyone at work were talking about them and was so happy she found a pair she loved. read more

I came in to get my wife some amazing glasses and life threw a curveball! A French lady happened to be there showing off the latest wares and we were ready to buy the most stylish! I also picked some purple glasses off the proprietor's recommendation! Woohoo! You know how they test your eye pressure when you get glasses? My wife got tested and things were out of wack so off to a specialist we went! Some laser procedures and all is well! Soon we will be back to get the amazing French glasses and life will be good. Thank you for your amazing personable professional service! read more

Outstanding service, great selection, highly knowledgeable team. Their service after the sale clearly (no pun intended) sets them above the rest. The Optic Shop is not a discount operation. Premium products, incomparable service = long term value. read more

Gil is my go to guy here. Been buying glasses here for years. There isn't a better selection of UNIQUE glasses I have found in FL unless you go to their other location in St Pete and see John. They have the popular brands, but I come here for the unique and colorful frames. I am a glasses girl, it's my thing and I like to get new pair or 2 every year. Shop one of their locations, you won't be disappointed. read more

Nice selection of eyeglass frames. Trendy and unique. That said, I purchased a Theo designed frame and lenses which came without an eyeglass case. Is that how it is with this brand or is it the store policy not to include a case? I don't really know. ....... read more

They've got New York fashion frames and elitist snobby attitudes to go with them. Boy did we feel out of place here. We went in to each buy a pair of new glasses, and walked around for 10 minutes before anyone offered to help us. The help consisted of pushing us to try on frames that were the "latest" styles but nothing like what we'd asked to see or what we came in with -- completely different and not our styles! We felt uncomfortable the entire time and were made to feel like we didn't know how to choose proper frames because we didn't like what was recommended. There were some really crazy frames here! Maybe they would be good for artists or free spirits, but not for us. Too off the wall and the judgmental attitude of the salesperson was not a pleasant experience. The prices were astronomical! read more

I had a pair of sunglasses from the Optic Shop several years ago and they were my very favorite...then, our insurance started sending us to places like Lenscrafters...I'll do THAT review next...:-P Anyway, I bought a pair of sunglasses on a trip to New Orleans and took them to Lenscrafters to have them made with my prescription and WITH insurance they were going to charge me OVER $500 for the lenses. Well...I'd just about had it with them and their astronomical pricing whether you have eye insurance or not. So, I happened to have them with me while I was right next door to Optic Shop and thought..."What the heck?" I walked in and was greeted by a very friendly gentlemen, he answered all of my questions and said they would do my glasses for over $200 less and that I could send the bill into my insurance and see if they would still cover some of it even though they were out-of-network. While I waited for him to go check my prescription and make a copy he brought myself and my daughter water bottles (!!-just a nice service you NEVER see anymore) and told me it would be 7-10 days approximately. Less than a week later he called and the lenses were in - I stopped by so he could do one last measurement and waited 10 minutes while they cut them to fit my new frames! Seriously! I am now their biggest fan! read more

I am not normally one to spend time looking for a frame, I get my prescription, find a decent black frame and I am out the door. Sadly, my previous supplier did not survive covid so I looked for the closest shop and ended up here. It was the best proximity accident that could have happened. The amount of time they took figuring out my face and going through recommendations based on shape and use was so surprising to me, normally I am just let loose to pick a pair and bring them to the front. We selected a gorgeous pair of JacquesMarieMage and for a moment I surprised I was willing to pay that price, but each time I catch a glance of myself with them on I know I made a great investment. Each of the three staff members I interacted with care about your final outcome and know their stuff. They have changed how I look at the process and are big supporters of appearance can be a lasting first impression, so why risk not making the right one. Will definitely be going back. read more

AVOID. Came here to have a simple fix- a new nose pad replaced on on my RayBans. Well, while the woman was cleaning them, she accidentally snapped the nose pad that they didn't touch clean off! She told me I needed to take it to a jewelry shop to be repaired (as if I have time to run around town on her behalf) and she refused to replace my glasses THAT SHE BROKE with a similar pair which they have right in the store! As a business owner myself, I would have gladly taken it upon myself to do the right thing--but not these people! STAY AWAY! read more

Went to the optic shop in Soho for my first eye exam and doctor James Revennaugh did a very complete exam and great job, very happy with the service and recommendations from the friendly and helpful staff. Thanks a lot! read more

I stopped by today for 2 pairs of glasses to be tightened and adjusted. Staff very helpful and quick!

Not cheap but they have the best. The staff is so so helpful without giving you that creepy "leave me alone, I can decide myself" feeling! I can only afford eyeglasses from here once every 2-3 years but if you you to look great, you have to spend the money & it's well worth spending it here! read more

I've been a customer of the Optic Shop for several years now, and I'm always happy with the service and the quality. The care the team takes making sure that the glasses you select are just right for you is unrivaled in my experience. And the optometrist, Dr. James Revennaugh, OD, does an outstanding and thorough examination. Thank you, Optic Shop! read more

They have a great selection of frames! The prices are expensive but you're getting high quality stuff so it's worth. More than the selection though, the hospitality was second to none. I walked in the store about 15 minutes before closing time. I told them I could come back but they insisted I stick around and keep looking. They gave great recommendations based on what I said I wanted and face shape/fit. Helped me find a pair of Oliver Peoples that I love. I'll definitely be going back for my next pair of sunglasses. read more

Absolutely the best selection of frames and lenses in Tampa and an extremely helpful, friendly, and professional staff.

Are the staff Friendly? Yes. I can't argue with that. Does the store have great glasses? Why yes, in fact they do. My only problem lies with their horrible business practice. I paid $65 for an eye exam another $144 for single vision poly lenses another $89 for some kind of coating on lenses and a whopping $495 for my frames. Total being $793. That's all fine and dandy... but when I call them up to get a copy of my prescription to take to another optic store they shut me down. For some reason even though I paid $793 at their store... I am not allowed to have a copy of my own Eye Exam prescription??? They lost a customer for life and I will sway everyone I know away from their store. read more

My expectations were exceeded a thousandfold here today. I recently decided to wear glasses full-time instead of taking my readers on and off all day. And since I was going to wear these full-time, I wanted to make the best of the situation by finding something to enhance my looks a bit. I don't really trust my own judgement when it comes to fashion-sense. So, I placed my fate in Sue's hands, and she came through big time. Instead of looking in the mirror as I tried on each pair, I trusted her use me as a canvas, and she handled it like an artist. The experience of having a personal shopper was fantastic. Plus, it was a true pleasure working with Sue. She's a gem. I wholeheartedly recommend the experience at the Optic Shop on S. Howard Ave. read more

I love this place. I swear by it. I have been their customer for over 10 years now! They take their time to find you a frame that fits your face and works for you. They are not trying to sell you a brand, they are selling you something you can have for years. I've bought 3 pairs of glasses here, and two pairs of sunglasses. Yes, they are expensive, but each pair has lasted me over 10 years!!! The only reason I decide to get a new pair of glasses is because I have beat the frame up so much, its a disgrace and embarrassment to The Optic Shop. You can get your lenses changed as needed yearly, but the frame will last you for years. So yes it is pricey, but the glasses will last you years, which will save you money in the long run. I love that the staff will work with you to have your lenses be the size you need, and the frame the shape that fits your face best. I wouldn't buy glasses anywhere else but here. read more

I hardly ever write reviews but I came to the Optic Shop today looking to buy a new pair of prescription Costa Del Mar sunglasses. I already knew the exact pair I wanted and as Sue went to price them out for me I started browsing through their Maui Jims. Not only does the Optic Shop in Soho have the best sunglass frames in town (almost every variety from all the top brands) but the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. After debating if I wanted to go with the Maui Jims instead, Sue helped me for over an hour pick out the perfect pair. She was very attentive in answering all my questions and even after telling her I needed to wait for my girlfriend's approval on a different pair than we originally picked out together, she never once got all "salesey" on me. Most places (or people) would have gotten annoyed after potentially wasting all this time with a customer but she completely understood that it was important for me to make the right decision with such an expensive purchase. As soon as I left I got the immediate OK from my girlfriend after she saw the video I sent her of the Maui Jims and although Sue was now busy helping another customer, the two gentlemen in the store were more than happy to make sure I got proper service as I waited. Like I said, I never write reviews but I was so pleased with all three members of the Optic Shop staff that it is the least I can do. I highly recommend anyone looking for new glasses, whether standard prescription glasses, sunglasses or prescription sunglasses to come here first. Fair prices (same as any of the big retailers such as Bass Pro Shops), excellent service and you can feel good knowing you're supporting a local business with a wonderful staff. Thank you Optic Shop; I'm looking forward to picking up my new sunglasses soon! read more