Business Spotlight: Eye Works sets sights on specialized service

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There's nothing like a trip to the eye doctor to make you realize your eyeglasses are out of style. At least, that's how you may feel after browsing through the selection of nearly 900 eyeglass frames at Chesterfield Eye Works.|ret||ret||tab|

William Holmes, OD, opened Chesterfield Eye Works last year in Chesterfield Village.|ret||ret||tab|

"I don't think location is important for me as a regular retailer because I do more specialized work," Holmes said. "I sell three-piece rimless frames, antique frames, make polarized and anti-reflective lenses and do other specialty services."|ret||ret||tab|

Holmes has a large selection of name-brand eyeglass frames. Some of these frames can be converted into sunglasses by adding a magnetized clip. This clip leaves part of the eyeglass frame exposed, which gives the wearer the appearance of having two different sets of glasses. Other frames are designed to hold up under a lot of wear and tear and some have temples so flexible you can bend them. There's also a section of sturdy and stylish eyeglass frames for children, and Holmes said he's fitted a child as young as 10 months with glasses.|ret||ret||tab|

"People are very particular when it comes to choosing new eyeglass frames," Holmes said. "I'd like to be known as the place where you can go to get high-quality, stylish eyeglass frames without having to drive all the way to Kansas City or St. Louis to find them."|ret||ret||tab|

According to Holmes, one of the more common misconceptions people have about eye wear is that they can get a better deal by going to a large retailer.|ret||ret||tab|

"If you're shopping for eye wear, research everything," Holmes said. "There's no such thing as a free eye exam, because the cost of the exam gets factored into other things you wind up buying, such as an extended coverage plan. You have to look at the total package. If you do, you may just discover you can get better quality glasses and frames at a small eyeglass shop like mine and still spend the same amount of money. I'm able to offer my clients a better value because my overhead is lower and therefore my markup is lower, particularly on name-brand frames."|ret||ret||tab|

J.D. Taylor, who has been working as an optician for more than 34 years, makes most of the eyeglasses at Chesterfield Eye Works. According to Taylor, the normal turnaround time on a new pair of glasses is 24 hours. Taylor also helps customers select new eyeglass frames and file insurance claims where appropriate.|ret||ret||tab|

Besides fitting people for eyeglasses, Holmes also sells and fits contact lenses. Some not only improve vision, but serve cosmetic purposes. |ret||ret||tab|

For example, Wild Eyes contacts change the appearance of the eye by masking the iris. Contacts can mimic the look of an alien, a cat and more. According to Holmes, white-out contacts, which completely cover the iris so only the pupil is visible, are the best-selling pair.|ret||ret||tab|

Because the incidence of eye disease is higher among contact lens wearers, particularly among those who wear extended-wear lenses, Holmes said all contact lens wearers should get a regular eye exam once a year. Many of Holmes' patients are fitted with a pair of diagnostic lenses. This helps a patient determine the comfort level and vision a particular pair of lenses will provide before they actually buy them.|ret||ret||tab|

Like most small-business owners, Holmes wears many hats. Although he was trained as an optometrist, he also handles all aspects of running a business.|ret||ret||tab|

Holmes said he has learned a lot about running a business in the last year with on-the-job training, but he considers himself to be a jack-of-all-trades. Holmes worked as a coach and a schoolteacher in Rogersville and Morrisville before returning to school to become an optometrist in 1994 a move he said would have been impossible were it not for the support of his wife, Linda.|ret||ret||tab|

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Chesterfield Eye Works|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Year founded: 1999|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Owner's name: William H. and Linda Holmes, dba Chesterfield Eye Works|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Address and phone number: 2142 W. Chesterfield Blvd. 65807; 889-7788|ret||ret||tab|

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