i repeatedly sit on my glasses and get headbutted by Junior (da pup). so am often here for a new pair, replace an earpiece or for adjustments. conveniently in the hood, open even on days off, frequently on sale or Paul will discount without being asked. a friend had new lenses comped when another pair was late on delivery. fan. read more

My boyfriend and I went to visit Spectacle in the s. end not knowing it had recently changed over from IQ. Upon entry we met Paul and Dave who were extremely friendly, personable and hilarious. We instantly felt comfortable which is key to a process such as purchasing eyeglasses. Paul had great suggestions to help get me started and then let me do my thing around the shop and gave me plenty of room and even made me some hot coco as I browsed. The selection was great and I walked away with exactly what I wanted. If you need a great selection of stylish glasses no matter what you age definitely stop by spectacle. read more

If you want help picking glasses that fit you then this is the place to go! I got my glasses a week and a half ago and I am in love with them! I tried other stores before and it was a terrible experience. Not only in service but in selection. Spectacle had the best selection I had seen than any store I shopped at. I cannot wear black glasses because I am very fair. So I wanted to get red ones. Not only did he have the biggest selection by far than any store I went to, but each one had noticeable differences. Even though it is just one store, Spectacle's selection is amazing! I was so impressed! I knew I was going to find the right pair here. And I love the fact that there were no branding on the sides. (For all those that think clothing designers actually design glasses you are very mistaken. They pretty much come from one place and a buyer from the designer picks the ones he/she likes. It is very misleading and expensive). I found the pricing reasonable. I got quality glasses from a quality store. Paul is so knowledgeable. And he is certainly not a "yes man". He will tell you the truth. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE that! All his glasses are stylish and his store is so open. . I really can't say enough about Paul. He was reasonable on price and he was not going to let me leave with a pair that didn't look great on me. He is definitely the place to go! There is nothing negative I could possibly say! To sum it up; great selection, great location, great prices, great customer service. Just GREAT GREAT GREAT! I will definitely be back. This is the only place I will go for my glasses! Thank you so much Paul! read more

I have visited Spectacle for my last 4 pairs of glasses. Every pair has been unique and garnered many compliments. I love the styles, which are always changing and different from the run of the mill stuff you find other places. Paul is extremely helpful and energetic, I truly enjoy going to pick out my next pair! read more

I had managed to break a pair of my favorite sunglasses and brought them, with replacement lenses I had ordered online, to Spectacle. Paul was able to fix them for me that same day and did it totally free of charge! I can't speak to the prices but the very friendly service and quality of the work will definitely bring me back here for my next purchase. read more

If you're looking for a sweet pair of specs in the Back Bay, where so many opticians are concentrated, I highly recommend walking over to the South End and giving Spectacle a try instead. Priced in between the trendy bargain frames you can find at Warby Parker and the expensive boutique shops in the Back Bay, you can find a great pair of glasses with the best customer service without breaking the bank. Paul is incredibly friendly, thorough, and experienced as an optician. He listens to what you are looking for and suggests many great frames to choose from, without being pushy. As a new pair of glasses often needs tweaking, Paul encourages you to return to the store for some adjustments at any time. Definitely worth a visit! read more

I don't usually post reviews but I had to for my experience at Spectacle. The customer service I received was so personal and Paul was wonderful. I highly recommend this place for your eyewear purchases. I will be getting my eyewear from Spectacle from now on!! Loved this place! read more

It is so rare to receive the level of customer service that I got from Paul from the second I walked into his store. He made me feel comfortable and is very entertaining! Every pair of frames that he picked out for me actually suited my face! I have gone to the other eyewear stores and have always felt rushed, and never 100% happy with my glasses. Paul is just awesome at what he does, and I am very very happy with my new frames!! read more

Broke my glasses and came looking here for a pair after reading all the yelp reviews. I have a love-hate relationship with shopping for new specs. On the one hand I am bursting with anticipation of the new, sophisticated look that is to come, and on the other the anxiety of going through many many pairs before finding THE ONE was a bitter-sweet feeling...kinda like a single woman on the prowl. But, I digress. I walked into the shop on a weekday morning. Parking was a-plenty on a weekday. Paul greeted me and I was instantly at ease. We went through about 3 dozen pairs. He took pictures and I walked away promising to come back after getting opinions from friends and family. I went back after narrowing it down to a few pairs and asked Paul to help me decide. I wasn't completely sure about the pair he thought looked the best and said "Trust me, I have been doing this forever. I make glasses." I am so glad I discarded my doubts and went with the flow. The glasses have completely changed my look. "Sexy, yet sophisticated" as he put it. Best part, you have 1 month to try the specs and if not satisfied you can go back for an exchange. Paul was fantastic and I have found my new go-to place for specs. Recommended it to all my spectacle-wearing friends. Added plus - if you are a foodie, you will love chatting with him! Thanks Paul! read more

The service Paul provides is fantastic. He's very customer focused &he certainly seems enthusiastic about his work. The pricing is better than when I visited a few years ago. A great local establishment to do business! read more

Awesome service, at great prices! Paul is fantastic at helping you find the right pair of glasses to fit your face and style. I'm so happy I came here! I was dreading having to get glasses and after only a short time, I left with two pair that I love. It was such a positive experience. read more

Finally the perfect combination of style, price, quality and killer recommendations. For those of us who are too blind to actually see what we look like in new glasses, this is the place to take the plunge and make the change. read more

I live on the South Shore, but I stumbled upon this place through either Groupon or LivingSocial (can't remember which). I am so beyond pleased with the glasses I purchased from them - I would absolutely recommend (and have been) to anyone. I generally just get my glasses from a Cambridge Eye or Pearl Vision, but was getting so sick of spending a ton of money on a flimsy set of frames. Also, not sure about anyone else, but the sparkles, writing, bling, etc. on every frame was a little much. The glasses at Spectacle are not like that at all -- they are very classy and nice looking and Paul is an expert. He knows exactly which glasses look best on you. Overall, I am extremely happy with my glasses and the price (which was less than I would have paid at the old places I went to). Definitely go here and check it out!! read more

Paul is the best! I don't know how he does it but he manages to pick out just the right frame on the first or second try. He's super friendly and energetic and I absolutely loved the experience of buying glasses at Spectacle. Awesome! read more

This place is great. Paul is lovely - professional, warm, and effective. His frames are hand picked by him so you have the impression that he loves all his babies. He has a great sense of fashion and understands how to help you pick the best fit for your face and style. read more

Paul is awesome! The first pair of glasses he picked out for me turned out to be the one I bought.

Just top-notch personalized service and a great selection of glasses to find the perfect ones. Love supporting small business owners - Paul is sole proprietor and obviously loves what he does. Prices are not the cheapest but you're also not paying the higher prices that the "trendy" places get. What you do get are awesome glasses that fit you and your style - and Paul helps you figure that out! If you don't mind a bit of an offbeat personality, you must go see Paul and have him help you select your next pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. read more

Paul is the best. I have worn glasses for about 800 years and I have never had this type of service. The shop is nice, variety of frames is phenomenal, and Paul is over the top fantastic. read more

Paul is a good as it gets. He takes customer service to the next level. Give him a picture or a face and boom the perfect frames appear. Everything is always perfect. Thanks Paul read more

Paul was extremely friendly & helpful. He and Dianna were both total pros. Quick check up, found some frames I'm very happy with, and it was pretty reasonably priced. read more

Paul is fantastic. I was actually visiting Boston for a long weekend and happened to pop in for a quick look. Paul asked a couple of questions and was able to find two pairs of glasses that fit me perfectly. He took care of everything efficiently, and mailed them out to me as soon as I was able to get my prescription to him. They fit and look great, and this experience was as good as it gets. If I ever need new frames, I'm getting a flight to Boston! read more

Went here with a friend to get glasses. Wasn't looking for glasses for myself, but thought the personalized service was excellent. Paul helped me choose frames that fit my face and style and he was spot on every single time. Made me wish I needed glasses just so I could buy the really stylish frames that he had chosen out for me :) My friend got really good advice as well and left with a perfect pair that looked great on her. The selection is abundant. The frames went from conservative to stylish and trendy. Lots of colors and designs. There was something for everyone. Space is well lit, lots of natural sunlight and mirrors. There's a couch for those who just want to sit back and watch their loved ones transform themselves. Really solid and fun place to pick out your next pair of frames. read more

Amazing, amazing, amazing. Thank you, Paul, for a great experience finding new glasses!

For all the Harry Potter fans out there: this guy is the Ollivander of eyeglasses. He was helping a customer when I arrived, but introduced himself and handed me a frame to try anyway, and then another. They both looked great. When the customer left, Paul and I got to talking and, before I knew it, I was juggling double-digit pairs of frames and they all looked fantastic. After an hour of trying frame after frame-- really, home run after home run-- I ended up picking the first frame Paul had handed me before he even had a chance to get to know me. This guy seriously knows his stuff, and the thesaurus runs out of good adjectives before doing justice to the experience of shopping at Spectacle. Paul is super personable, super professional, and so, so chill: the ideal shopping trifecta. The only downside of the whole visit is that I don't have the funds to bankroll all 17 pairs he gave me that I loved. I'll definitely be back, and have already herded all of my friends and family over-- stopping just short of giving directions to strangers on the street. Thanks, Paul! read more

I had an outstanding experience at Spectacle. The proprietor, Paul, has a commitment to a quality product and an outstanding eye for style in frames. Highly recommended. read more

I found this shop almost by accident. And am so glad I did. The prices and styles were so great I got two different pairs in different styles. Paul was helpful and fun. read more

I was kind of dreading looking for my first pair of glasses - I thought it would take forever. But then I found Paul at Spectacle and I don't even know what I was worried about. He's so helpful, has a great selection, and it was actually FUN!!! And his prices are out of this world. 10/10 read more

Look no further! Spectacle has stylish frame selections @ reasonable prices. Paul is knowledgeable about fit and style. Glad to have found Spectacle. read more

Paul's the best, plain and simple. Awesome assistance and a no-pressure environment. My second experience there was as good as the first. Five stars all around. read more

Paul is as friendly and concerned (for his patients) optometrist as I've ever met. He offered every bit of advice and made my experience at his store downright great. An excellent place. read more

I've been telling everyone I know how great this place is! It literally took me 3 years to find glasses I liked the last time I went looking, but when I needed new ones again I came here, and Paul was handing me frame after frame that I loved. He has also been incredibly nice about my coming back twice for adjustment/a loose piece on my glasses, which he fixed. Everybody should do their glasses shopping here!!! Thank you, Paul! read more

Just picked up my glasses from spectacle and I love them! Great well-curated selection of frames and Paul was fantastic at making sure I had the right frames and that my prescription worked (first time with progressive lenses). And very cool Bowie tunes playing. Highly recommend! read more

This is my first review at Yelp, and I think it is worth it. I'm an international graduate student, so I haven't bought glasses here in the United States before. This is also my first time. I got to Spectacle through Yelp, actually, because of its good reviews. I discovered all to be true. Paul is not only the nicest man on earth, he is also very good at helping you choosing your glasses and he provides a really good service. He recommended me to get my prescription at South End Eye, where I was treated very well too, so my entirely experience getting new eyeglasses was a perfect one. Paul didn't stop until I found the perfect eyeglasses for my face, which were actually the first ones I try on. When they were ready, he sent me messages and he was very friendly as always. I definitely recommend Spectacle. It not only has very beautiful lens frames, but the whole service is fantastic and Paul is very kind. You won't regret it. (Thanks Paul! :)) read more

Thankyou for the personal service I have received them and although it took me awhile to relate to change I love them thank you for your service read more

I had a great experience buying prescription sunglasses from Paul. Great selection, service and price with a LivingSocial voucher. Would come back again for future prescription eyewear purchases. read more

Just stopped in briefly to look at frames but Paul was so helpful and informative. He really cares about your happiness as the customer and the prices are great-definitely worth a visit! read more

So, I'm about to get surgery and for the last 4-ish years, I have only worn contacts. Reason? I hit myself super hard in the face with a pair of poi, shattering my glasses at the time, leaving me with war flashbacks of almost getting a fragment of frame in my eye. But I don't want to deal with contacts while in recovery mode and I also don't want to be nearly blind while in recovery mode. Glasses turned from an optional thing to a necessity. (Though a lot of people would argue they were always a necessity because contacts and eyes need to breathe, etc. etc.). Anyway, what matters is I went to Spectacle and the shop is like an art gallery of high quality, brand-free frames. The first time I came in, it was a half hour 'til close, so I only had time to look for a short while (I've worked retail and know the terrors of the last minute customer who keeps you there late, so I tried not to be that guy). That said, Paul was amazing. His brand of customer service is like two parts having a personal shopper and one part hanging with a fascinating person you think better belongs on stage with a guitar. I was in the shop approx. twenty minutes and found three frames (two of which Paul suggested) that I liked, but wasn't ready to commit. After that, I went to SEE, Cohen, and Warby Parker, but couldn't find one frame I could get excited about. They were all really samey, or I'd say 'I want two-toned frames' and be suggested anything but that. The service was okay, but it didn't feel as personalized and frankly astounding as Spectacle. Also, other than Warby Parker (which has good reviews for their shop but very hit or miss reviews for quality control on product), they were waaaay more expensive. To be honest, I even looked at online cheapo frames (which is not to say Spectacle's prices aren't extremely good), but my brain kept flitting back to how nice those approx. twenty minutes were. I ended up going back to Spectacle on a day I had off and was there for at least two hours. This time, I was able to stand in front of a mirror and just stare at myself trying the same 3-4 frames on over and over again. Paul was exceedingly patient, exceedingly helpful, and even told me stories about his career and personal history (super cool, you should definitely engage him in conversation). I ended up settling on a pair and put in the order, thinking they might be ready in a week. Two days later, I received a call saying they were done. The glasses were super lightweight, comfortable, and my prescription was matched perfectly, however, a few days later I discovered there was a small dent/aberration in one side of the frames. Almost impossible to see, but I fixated on it (like a jerky perfectionist) the second I found it. I was anxious about returning to Spectacle and being a problem customer (because, you know, I hate those), but Paul was quick to order a replacement set of frames and let me keep the ones I currently had in the interim. Again, the new frames arrived in just a couple days, and were perfect this time. Paul even helped adjust a pair of sunglasses I brought in. Basically, if you're within travelling distance of Spectacle, I don't see why you'd go anywhere else. read more