My first time in Virginia Beach, and I get there when a majority of the businesses decided to close…read moreshop either for Columbus Day, or the lack of potential customers flocking the streets. But there it was - Sunglass Shack, open despite the discouraging weather conditions. The name sounds like a total rip from the more omnipotent Sunglass Hut, but the store setup was anything but. I rate this place high on the cleanliness scale, and the displays showcased products well.
Their selection was everything you might expect from a decent sunglass store. Specifically, they sell Ray Ban, Maui Jim, Costa, Coach, Versace, Burberry, DKNY, and my new favorite - Oakley. But honestly I wasn't looking. I just went in because my friend wanted to go. As I scanned the displays, it just so happened that I came across a pair that, once on, I couldn't resist.
Oakley. Fuel Cell. Matte black with ruby "iridium" lenses. From the front the lenses are completely red, but when you look through them, everything is a tint of blue. I didn't like the blue as I tend to appreciate the warmer sunglass tints, but seldom do I find a pair of sunglasses that I satisfactorily believe suits my face.
My first mistake was going in. My second was trying on a pair. I suppose I could have easily walked out that store and said no. My friend was about to do just that anyway, but what got me most was how the salesperson - who turned out to be the manager - approached us with such professionalism, attentiveness, and knowledge of the brand at hand. It brought so much credibility to the store, which frankly needs it because I never heard of it and their website uses the generic ".net" domain. That nudge was all I needed to decide I wanted to drop a good $108 plus tax today. Of course the 10% military discount was nice, too, but I have to give credit where credit is due.
Lowest price guarantee when matched with official vendor websites. I couldn't think of a good way to incorporate that info into the review, but there you have it! Also, you can order sunglasses through them and have it shipped to the store or to you, according to their website here: http://sunglassshack.net/