Warby Parker, the New York-based glasses retailer that originally launched in 2010 as an e-commerce startup, is opening its fourth brick-and-mortar store in Chicagoland on Nov. 3.
The new store opening in Lakeview at 3432 N. Southport Ave. is joining Warby Parker’s three other Chicago-area stores in Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and Oakbrook.
"We're so excited to grow our presence in a city we love with our fourth permanent location here," said Ruthie Ben-Zvi, Warby Parker's associate manager of retail communications and public relations, in an emailed statement to Chicago Inno.
The store will be open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and from 12-6 p.m. on Sundays. Patrons will be able to find Warby Parker’s full collection of eyeglasses and sunglasses on display, and can receive comprehensive eye exams at the new store.
The Lakeview store will feature custom artwork from local artist Nate Otto. His mural is an image of the Chicago skyline “with a few eyewear-related motifs.” The new store will also be the first to offer a new, 80-page book of haikus that were all written by Warby Parker employees. It will retail for $15 and eventually be available at all of the company’s locations.
Warby Parker has gained popularity for its affordable and trendy glasses. Customers can get eye exams from in-house optometrists, try on and select their glasses in the store, and have them shipped to their home within a few days. Warby Parker also allows customers to order up to five pairs of glasses to try on at home and send back the ones they don’t like.
Nationwide, Warby Parker has more than 80 stores and 1,700 employees. Since launching, the company has raised more than $290 million, according to Crunchbase.
