As a boy John Cottam, proprietor of the Spectacle, found himself hunched over a flickering candle one day trying to adjust his eyeglasses for a better fit. Based in Utah for the last 30 years, the Spectacle brings comfort and style together like nowhere else in the state.
Only the Spectacle has eyewear by Tom Ford, Kawasaki, and the meticulously-engineered Swissflex 2.5 Eyephorics; frames so infinitely customizable, so versatile and stylish that everyone from the tiniest toddler to the heftiest Sumo Wrestler can wear them comfortably.Our certified and licensed opticians specialize in Custom Eyewear, rimless eyeglasses, and progressive lenses using the thinnest and lightest lens materials available.
Only the Spectacle has eyewear by Tom Ford, Kawasaki, and the meticulously-engineered Swissflex 2.5 Eyephorics; frames so infinitely customizable, so versatile and stylish that everyone from the tiniest toddler to the heftiest Sumo Wrestler can wear them comfortably.Our certified and licensed opticians specialize in Custom Eyewear, rimless eyeglasses, and progressive lenses using the thinnest and lightest lens materials available.
Services
Vintage eyewear has never been more popular. More people are seeking inspiration from decades past, to styles as far back as a century ago. While modern frames have their appeal to many, others might better identify glasses from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. As such, we wanted to highlight some of the different glasses styles that have emerged in the US throughout the last hundred years.
Many don't really know the difference between optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists. While they're all vital to the process of vision correction and ensuring your eyes are healthy, each of these professionals occupy very different spaces within that process.
Opticians, for example, are the ones who interpret prescriptions given out by the optometrists and ophthalmologists, and then work with patients to provide glasses that are, comfortable, stylish and adequately work to improve the patient's vision for the better.The Spectacle has been a proud provider of opticianry services to those around Salt Lake City since 1985.
Opticians, for example, are the ones who interpret prescriptions given out by the optometrists and ophthalmologists, and then work with patients to provide glasses that are, comfortable, stylish and adequately work to improve the patient's vision for the better.The Spectacle has been a proud provider of opticianry services to those around Salt Lake City since 1985.
Whether you're looking for an eye exam, a new pair of glasses, or perhaps have a more complex issue with your vision, it's helpful to understand which kind of eye specialist is most appropriate to visit. Opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists might have similar titles, but they perform markedly different roles within the world of eye care.
Reviews (23)
McKelle Ayotte
Jan 28, 2022
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Dawn McGreevey
Dec 07, 2021
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Taylor Hartman
Oct 17, 2021
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Deb D.
Aug 19, 2021
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Rose Baran
Apr 27, 2021
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Erin Allred
Apr 21, 2021
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I love The Spectacle. Not only do they have a great selection of glasses but the owner, John Cottam, is so kind and knowledgeable, he has helped my husband and I with our glasses needs on multiple occasions, even repairing glasses we had bought someplace else for free. Besides all of that, The Spectacle is basically a step away from a museum with all the displays of glasses John Cottam has made for celebrities, very interesting and impressive👌👌
Harmony M.
Jan 25, 2021
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Mr. C.
Nov 21, 2020
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Joshua Allen
Oct 29, 2019
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My glasses got stepped on and one hinge was crushed so my wife and daughter took the glasses to The Spectacle to get them repaired. Not only did they return the nearly-destroyed glasses to a wearable condition, they also cleaned them up nice...i know that seems pretty standard, but I didnt even buy the glasses at this store. This was our first visit. What's more, the decor really impressed my teen daughter, who isnt typically impressed by anything...she couldnt stop telling me how cool she thought the design of the shop and selection of glasses were, and they were very pleased with the friendly
Anna Blaes
Sep 18, 2019
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The Spectacle is truly the best store in Salt Lake for both unique glasses and excellent service. I bought a pair of glasses online (always risky) and they didn’t fit right on my face - the prescription, while the same as my other glasses, made my eyes hurt. I walked into the shop to se what could be done, and Mr. Cottam fixed my glasses perfectly in a matter of minutes! I’ll never go anywhere else to get my glasses. I’m truly impressed!
C. J.
Aug 27, 2019
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The store is quaint and the salesman was very kind and helpful. I would have continued with this company EXCEPT they lost my $500+ lenses with nothing more than a "sorry". No offer to search until they find them, just simply "sorry". They must have felt that since they were replacing my lenses I wouldn't need the old ones. My Rx only changed slightly and they were a custom designed lens that I wanted to keep and could have used in a bind.
Aanika Fraga
Aug 20, 2019
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I wish I had had a better experience here. The store is lovely and full of charm and their glasses selection is wonderful. The service however was lacking. Not only was the salesman cold but he was inattentive and uninterested. He did not greet us when we arrived and looked bothered Everytime we asked to look at something in a case. We were the only people in the store the entire time so it's not as if it were too busy. It was disappointing. We did leave with two new pairs of glasses because, like I said, their selection is beautiful. So it's worth coming if you don't bother feeling like a pest
Gemini U.
Jul 31, 2018
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This is such a charming optical shop inside Trolley Square. It's on the 2nd floor close to The Old Spaghetti Factory. There is quite a variety of different styles leaning towards round shaped frames. Owner has made a couple of eye glass cases made out of wine corks which I thought was very creative. On display is the original "eye ware props" for the movie "Blade Runner" designed, and made by the owner. Stop in a take a look at the many unique designs.
Phil G.
Feb 24, 2018
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The one star is for both the sophistication and class of the shop and the proprietor. However, their lab screwed up two pairs of Alain Mikli eyeglasses. Admittedly, I purchased the frames elsewhere, but with prescription in hand, it is customary for optical stores to install lenses into frames purchased elsewhere.
On two separate occasions, I asked for a gray tint, and what came back from their lab was an incongruent yellow tint.
When I tried the frames on, I said, "The lenses are yellow."
The proprietor took the frames, looked at the lenses on a white sheet of paper and said,
On two separate occasions, I asked for a gray tint, and what came back from their lab was an incongruent yellow tint.
When I tried the frames on, I said, "The lenses are yellow."
The proprietor took the frames, looked at the lenses on a white sheet of paper and said,
Kristian Buchman
Jul 29, 2017
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I visited the shop on a Sunday just because it was the only place open for eyeglass repair. John took care of me, and repaired my (very broken) glasses quickly for no charge. I asked him a few questions about the frames on sale and he was extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. The entire atmosphere the business was exceedingly professional. They have a large variety of frames, and crafts their own lenses. I will definitely be back soon to buy a new pair.
Javier H.
Apr 19, 2017
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Nick L.
Jan 20, 2016
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I am so stoked I found this hidden little shop. The place was an experience just to walk through. It had a historical feel mixed with a modern twist and actually gave the history of a lot of famous people and what type of glasses they wore.
The ship owner was genuinely happy to help my family and I out as we asked a ton of questions and there selection was fantastic. Unfortunately I had just bought a pair recently so I left without a purchase... But next time I'm buying from here.
The ship owner was genuinely happy to help my family and I out as we asked a ton of questions and there selection was fantastic. Unfortunately I had just bought a pair recently so I left without a purchase... But next time I'm buying from here.
Grace H.
Jan 05, 2016
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Cute shop. It definitely has a very old time feel to it. Kind of like Gipetto's shop from Pinocchio. There are lots of different frames to look at, and the owner has them displayed in fun ways. The owner of this shop is an older gentleman, who is very helpful, yet pretty shy. He is really good at looking at a person's face, and determining a good frame for each person. My only frustration here is that he has a very limited amount of partners as far as whose insurance he takes, and SelectHealth, who I am switching off of soon, is not one of them.
Susan C.
Aug 31, 2015
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Brittany W.
Apr 30, 2015
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This place is great if you're looking for something unique or just something nicer than you would find at all the other eyewear chain stores. The staff is incredibly helpful and knowledgable and gave me their professional opinion on what looked best on my face. I'm from Northern California and had been looking for new glasses for months and finally found something unique here. I'm so excited for my glasses to come in in about 4-5 days!
Natalie C.
Jun 09, 2014
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Ever since having LASIK a few years ago, I don't need glasses, but I still love trying them on!
Anytime a friend is in need of a new pair of stylish, unique, and quality frames (i.e. not Costco optical) I send them to The Spectacle. Let me rephrase that: I offer to drive them to The Spectacle myself; so that I can try on frames too. From Oliver Peoples and Tom Ford to one-of-a-kind vintage finds, it's easy to fall in love with more than one pair at this small shop in Trolley Square.
Bonus: Their knowledge and personalized service is worth the stop-in alone. With the most recent prescription
Anytime a friend is in need of a new pair of stylish, unique, and quality frames (i.e. not Costco optical) I send them to The Spectacle. Let me rephrase that: I offer to drive them to The Spectacle myself; so that I can try on frames too. From Oliver Peoples and Tom Ford to one-of-a-kind vintage finds, it's easy to fall in love with more than one pair at this small shop in Trolley Square.
Bonus: Their knowledge and personalized service is worth the stop-in alone. With the most recent prescription
Slim E.
Dec 03, 2013
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Jeffrey S.
Nov 02, 2010
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John Cottam's passion for glasses alone deserves as many stars as I can give him. I've never been an eyeglasses kind of guy--neither out of necessity nor fashion--but John's shop, The Spectacle, still wowed me.
This little store in Trolley Square sits quietly on the second floor and begs your entrance with a quaint corner door. There are several display cases featuring some high-end designer eyewear; lots of american and italian names running around. That alone makes for a fun "if-money-were-no-object" shopping experience, but that's just the beginning.
Mr. Cottam
This little store in Trolley Square sits quietly on the second floor and begs your entrance with a quaint corner door. There are several display cases featuring some high-end designer eyewear; lots of american and italian names running around. That alone makes for a fun "if-money-were-no-object" shopping experience, but that's just the beginning.
Mr. Cottam
