We're unable to take outside repairs at this time. Please wear a mask to appointments. Hand sanitizer provided. We will be responding to all messages within at least 48 hours, thanks for understanding, and stay safe! Carytown Optical was voted the best eyewear store by Richmonders. Visit the beautiful new location!
Carytown Optical Shoppe moved to a spectacular location at 3343 W. Cary St. Richmond, VA 23221 next to Mary Angelas Pizza and Premier Costumes. Park in the back of the building and enter in the front. Turn on Freeman Rd off of Cary St. and then turn into the alley and you will quickly see the rear of the building marked 3343 and a Carytown Optical sign.
Carytown Optical Shoppe moved to a spectacular location at 3343 W. Cary St. Richmond, VA 23221 next to Mary Angelas Pizza and Premier Costumes. Park in the back of the building and enter in the front. Turn on Freeman Rd off of Cary St. and then turn into the alley and you will quickly see the rear of the building marked 3343 and a Carytown Optical sign.
Services
Established in 1983, Carytown Optical in Richmond, Virginia has been transformed! Its look and feel combine to welcome you to a unique boutique for cool and stylish eyewear. Virginia State Licensed Optician, Cynthia Allen, sole owner for 25 years, in this same, historical Carytown location, personally guarantees an affordable, high quality option for eyewear enthusiasts in and around Richmond.
At Carytown Optical you will experience old-time service, personal attention and expert eyewear advice in a comfortable boutique shoppe. Our focus is on your complete satisfaction, and we strive to build lasting relationships, with service to each individual client. Please stop by to meet us at the shoppe where we are available for your eyeglass adjustments and eyeglass service and repair.
Virginia State Licensed Optician, Cynthia Allen personally guarantees an affordable, high quality option for eyewear enthusiasts in and around Richmond. Our focus is on your complete satisfaction, and we strive to build lasting relationships, with service to each individual client. Don't take our word for it, read the reviews our our valued clients.
Our top priority at Carytown Optical in Richmond, VA is to make certain that your prescription for lenses is done correctly and you experience natural vision. Our opticians will recommend the type of lens and lens materials to best suit your personal needs and preferences. You are welcome to drop by to see samples of lens options.
TempleSize - is measured along the length of the temple, from one end to the other, including the bend. Everyone has different a face and the shape of your face will determine the frame shape that suits you best. Eyewear should match your personal best feature (such as a green frame to match green eyes).
Reviews (17)
Linda W.
Sep 23, 2021
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Bill Grishaw
Sep 08, 2021
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Erin Doherty
Aug 28, 2021
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Hands-down THE BEST place to get glasses! I had previously tried on dozens of frames at Warby Parker, but none of them compared to the selection here. I have a petite round face with a pronounced bridge, so finding the right shape can be hard for me. That was until Cynthia (the owner) helped me find the most gorgeous pair of Dita frames and my eyes have never looked or felt better! Wonderful store and staff. I can’t thank them enough.
Michael K.
Aug 10, 2021
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Lifelong glasses wearer here and this was one of the best optometry places I've ever been to! Very friendly and prompt service. I was in here for an eyeglass repair and I got in and out in ten minutes without a problem. There was quite a selection of frames and lenses as well. Great atmosphere. Will be back for all my eyeglass needs in RVA!
Mz Maze
May 15, 2021
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Mark Labus
Nov 28, 2020
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Many thanks to Cynthia/Carytown for resolving many issues around my broken frames. Cynthia is both expert in all things optical and committed to customer service! She went WAY out of her way to help me get a broken frame replaced, working with lab and the vendor to deal with several issues - none of them Cynthia's fault. She helped me identify new Swissflex frames and ensure a difficult new script was right the first time......
I love me Swissflex frames - very light and durable! thanks for turning me on to them.
I could have worked with someone much closer, but it is worth time and effort to
I love me Swissflex frames - very light and durable! thanks for turning me on to them.
I could have worked with someone much closer, but it is worth time and effort to
Dead Tooth
Nov 20, 2020
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What a beautiful little shop. This is a family owned and run establishment. Cynthia is so sweet and helpful. A genuinely kind and relatable person running a small business well is hard to find these days and that's exactly what you get here. You feel right at home. Not to mention they practice safety and cleanliness to the utmost regard in these delicate times. It's quite inspiring to see such a thing in todays corporate world. Walk ins aren't currently being accepted to keep things safe so you have to make an appointment but it's well worth it for the incredible selection of frames and in person
Ben Price
Sep 20, 2020
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By far the best glasses shopping/buying process I’ve ever been through! Their shop is welcoming and comfortable. Their frames selection is amazing, with a very wide range of prices, styles, and brands. And their assistance through the process is personalized and thoughtful. Cynthia and her daughter River who run the shop were so kind, patient, and helpful through the entire process. Their collective knowledge about the frames they sell, style, and fit is unparalleled. Skip the online and chain frames stores and support this amazing local shop!
Hina L.
Sep 07, 2020
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A great place to find one of a kind pair of glasses. Cynthia was really helpful in sharing her tips on what to look for when buying glasses and gave really good suggestions. Of course, these glasses come with a hefty price tag and they don't take insurance; so you could buy the frame and get the lens put in by your eye care provider. I didn't end up buying any frames from here but definitely will keep them bookmarked for future purchases.
Lila R.
May 06, 2019
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C. H.
Jan 09, 2018
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Employee looked up but didn't greet or acknowledge she'd be over to assist me when I walked into this tiny store. I decided to browse their overpriced inventory for a few minutes giving her time to attend to the one other customer in the store (employee basically shadowed her as she perused). After 5 minutes of ZERO acknowledgment, I decided to leave and go to a nearby competitor. Do yourself a favor and take your business elsewhere. This place has terrible customer service!
Terry Caserta
Jan 28, 2016
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Carytown Optical fitted me with a pair of glasses to use specifically for working on the computer. I was constantly struggling with my bifocals to focus on the computer screen and experienced a sore neck also from tilting my head back. I can’t believe the difference that the new eyeglasses make. I wish I had known about this option sooner. Carytown Optical fitted me with a really cool looking pair that I keep at work only. They were so helpful in explaining the difference this prescription would make. I love their selection. They offer a boutique selection you won’t find in any other optical
Karen Long
Dec 11, 2015
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The best experience I have had when buying glasses. I am not terribly good at fashion choices, so I appreciated the sincere and tasteful suggestions for frames that seemed to fit my face structure the best and made me feel pretty. I felt confident in the glasses I purchased because Cynthia did not encourage me to just look at the higher priced frames, in fact the ones she felt looked best (and I purchased) were in a very comfortable price range for me. Also, Cynthia and the whole shoppe are hip and fun! The lightweight lens felt great after a slight adjustment. I highly recommend Carytown Optical
Ted F.
Oct 05, 2015
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Timothy Burke
Sep 15, 2015
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The service at Carytown Optical was outstanding! Cynthia's knowledge, advice, and expertise were phenomenal - she spent a lot of time helping me by reviewing the best choice of lenses, advising on frames, and adjusting sunglasses i had purchased elsewhere. I am a first time customer at Carytown Optical, and my decision to go there was based on the stellar reviews i had read - i must say that those reviews were correct. Friendly/unhurried/high quality service - what a great concept! Based on my experience I would say that you can't go wrong by taking your eyewear/optical needs to Carytown Optical
Tim Z.
Jul 09, 2014
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Fred Hefer
Feb 08, 2014
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The girls at Carytown Optical Shop provide great service and definitely deserve 5 stars. I am extremely satisfied with my prescription eye and sunglasses. They did a great job assisting me with my frame selection, positioning and adjustments. Throughout my years, I have gone to several optical shops but found Carytown Optical to be the best. The staff is chivalrous, clued-up, cool and very friendly. My total experience was terrific and highly recommend them!