Framed
Eye Candy
continues to
impress
By Denis Langlois
Eye Candy Opticians truly is a
family affair.
The family-owned boutique optical
business in Toronto’s Beaches
neighbourhood opened more than
eight years ago after the sister-
and-brother optician duo of Helen
and Foti Siomos decided to start a
business together.
The siblings’ parents also
behind the scenes at Eye Candy
Opticians, as the delivery driver
and bookkeeper.
Foti’s wife, Anna, joined the
team about a year ago and
the boutique’s third optician,
specializing in contact lenses.
Eye Candy Opticians has only one
location, which “lets us keep the
service personal and intimate,”
Helen explains. The full-service
eye and vision care provider
offers services from complete
eye exams with an optometrist to
frame and contact lens fittings.
Recently, Optical Prism spoke
with the Siomos family about
their successful optical business.
48 Optical Prism | September 2019
Helen Siomos
Q. What kind of clientele does your store service?
A. We generally have families with young children, dog lovers and
very friendly clientele that we all know on a first name basis.
Q. What are the primary brand names your store features? What
are your most popular styles?
A. We carry designer names such as Persol, Gucci, Tom Ford and Maui
Jim's. Our more boutique lines include L.G.R., SALT, Pierre Eyewear
and WooW. Our most popular styles include cat eye's for the ladies and
lately, bolder front's with metal temples to lighten the frame.
Q. What kind of marketing tools do you use?
A. Facebook, and Instagram are great marketing tools but
surprisingly our window displays seem to be the talk of the street.
With different holidays and events we tend to change them quite
frequently which keeps the store looking updated and fresh.
Q. What are some of the benefits of operating an independent
outlet?
A. There are lots of benefits that you get when running your own
shop which include getting the satisfaction of referrals and returning
customers. Having the flexibility to assist clients when your not in the
store such as personally delivering a product to someone who can't
leave their house, or doing other small specialty events here in the
beach in Toronto as community involvement is extremely important.
Q. Are there any changes or plans for the future?
A. We are going to be renovating as of May 6th. From floors, to
cabinets to a new desk and a new sign. After being open for 8 1/2
years, it was time for an update for style and functionality.
Looking forward to what the new design looks like and feels like. OP