Gregory’s Optical

Excellent inventory, staff, and service. I depend on my eyeglasses and I can’t afford to skimp — and I’m fussy about style (for my glasses anyway). Gregory’s is one Optician that I can depend on for everything that is important when I need new eyeglasses.

What a find! I was stunned by how helpful the staff was and how terrific the selection of European frames was, despite my first impression that the shop was small. They were respectful of my budget, energetic without being pushy, and their advice on which frames suited me was spot on. I am so glad I found this place. Definitely worth the drive from suburban Boston !

These guys are insanely good. My fiancée and I have both been and it is far and above the most pleasurable customer service experience ever. They help you find the pair frames that are just right for you, give you lots of space and time, aren’t over-​bearing, and have impeccable taste. The son Michael is great, and I understand Gregory and his wife are also fantastic. Truly, straight out of Murakami. Prices are similar to place on Thayer (unless you go high end, but there are fabulous choices in the normal range, e.g. ~200−300 for frames), but so much more choice and hands-​on help in picking out the right look. Recommended in the highest possible way.

I have decided to update my review based on new information. The first time I went into Gregory’s Optical I never wore glasses before. I was waited on by the older gentleman there. Looking back they never told me there different types of bifocals much less did they ask me what what type would be the best. Nor did they ever describe the types of frames and more importantly which frames were sturdy and strong. instead they suggested glasses where the frames BROKE in the fist several weeks. If I had been informed and educated compared to not at all I would have gotten completely different glasses. In short I am disappointed with the lack of education I received as a new customer from the older gentleman. His service was more reminiscent of doctors of old who told you what to buy and how much. Now, I realize it was my fault for not asking more but only later did I find these things out and NOT from him.

I have fallen in love with this couple. They are straight out of a Chekov or Murakami short story.
The shop is really nondescript. If you weren’t looking for it you’d never know it was there. The furniture is straight out of the 70’s. It struck me as odd that they had all of their display cases under lock and key, and if you want to try something on Dora, the old lady dressed like your babushka with crooked eyes and oddly hipster frames, will have to unlock the shelf for you. On top of which she is not beyond telling you what you may or may not want to hear. For example: «your face is not small, you know” – a blow to my already low opinion of myself. But the beauty of it is though you may not WANT to hear it, you do NEED to listen to her, because SHE PICKED OUT THE RIGHT FRAME ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. I had checked out multiple other frames apart from the one she picked out, but the one she picked out was uncannily the best.
So if nothing else, go to them for her excellent taste and judgment.
As for the selection, the reason I came here was I wanted something edgier than the ones that Pearle Vision had. And I got exactly what I came for. I couldn’t be happier with the way the glasses fit and look.
And speaking of speaking their mind, I asked why my glasses were so expensive ($ 750 for Boz frames and anti glare progressive lenses), Gregory says «because they’re not made in China.»
So. 4 stars because they’re pricier than most, but really 5 stars because they have the best selection, they’re the nicest couple, they have EXCELLENT taste, and you can’t beat the experience of getting transported to 1970s Moscow.

I scored a couple of very fashionable Alain Mikli frames from Gregory and Dora’s latest buying trip at Vision Expo East 2013 in NYC — one for daily wear and another I had Gregory make into sunglasses. They are truly sublime — unparalleled quality, handmade in France. Their acetate frames have rich colors with depth — a stunning tortoise that is contemporary yet timeless. Their shape and styling are up-​to-​the-​minute fresh, and, simultaneously, classic.
As is usual with Gregory’s Optical, my progressive prescription lenses are totally spot-​on. Gregory used polarized lenses in my sunglasses ~ WOW ~ viewing is such a pleasure — bright light or sunny days, no problem.
As a quick aside, I found my Alain Mikli frames (the ones I had made into sunglasses) online for nearly double the price I paid at Gregory’s Optical. This is pretty much standard fare here: highly competitive pricing plus Gregory’s brilliant personalized services.
I also bought another pair of eyeglasses in a wicked-​cool two-​tone frame from JF Rey. These too are acetate and handmade in France — totally outstanding quality. I love color and these are tortoise on top with grey on the bottom.
Their selection is phenomenal and their pricing is more competitive than the national chains one will often find in malls. Skip the mall shops and check out this little unassuming gem on Wickenden — there’s something for everyone — the quality and service is indeed most excellent.

I had a horrendous experience at a bootleg boutique in Cambridge, MA, and Gregory’s was actually my second choice stop. It really should have been my first stop.
Reasons:
1. Large selection of high end designer and vintage eye wear.
2. The older man told me my custom frames order would come in about a week. 5 days later, he calls me to let me know my order arrived and was ready for trying on.
3. The older lady is like a nosy grandma that has too many opinions, but she really cares and wants you to look good. even if you make a choice that she doesn’t like, she keeps trying to «help» by bringing you other glasses even though you politely decline, and then kind of gives you a blank stare when you go against her opinion. If she peeled my grapes, she really WOULD be my grandma.
4. After I placed my deposit on a Thursday, the older man told me that my glasses had a small chance of coming in the next day, and if not that Friday, then Monday. By 12pm the next day, he called me to tell me they came in. I was not charged a rush fee, this was standard service times.
5. I ordered the thinnest lenses available, Zeiss because I see as well as a fruit bat. The lenses I received were really the thinnest lenses I’ve ever had in many years of buying so-​called Zeiss lenses. Now I’ve been wondering if all these years I’ve been getting scammed by other opticians who swore they sold me Zeiss, because these are the first glasses I’ve ever had that don’t leave a huge dent in my nose from the excess weight.
6. The glasses + lenses actually came in at $ 150-​$ 300 less than the other optical shops that stocked my frames (Oliver & Peoples).
Next time, I’m just coming here. Maybe if I keep coming back they’ll eventually throw in some peeled grapes w/​my order.

This place is great! I had a very positive experience there. It’s a small shop with a great selection of frames from Europe, Japan and the US (Oliver Peoples, Face a Face, etc etc.). The shop is run by two couples from the same family – one older, one younger. The men are the opticians, and the women run the front of the store. The younger woman spent a lot of time helping me choose a frame that worked for my face, encouraging me to step outside with a mirror to see in different light, etc. The prices are reasonable and the service was extremely fast because they make the lenses in house. All in all, a great experience and I’ll be back!

This place is the BEST. They have a really fantastic selection of glasses, including some very cool vintage frames. They have glasses that you just can’t find anywhere else around here. The people here are also fantastic… speedy, friendly, and they all know what they’re doing. They also do very efficient repairs at a beyond reasonable price. It is run like a true neighborhood business. This is definitely the best optical shop around!

Gregory’s is wonderful. I’ve bought at least 4 pairs of glasses from them in the last 10 years and had nothing short of a wonderful experience and outstanding glasses. I wear glasses all day and my oldest pair lasted 7 years. Their selection is both stylish and unique! Extremely nice people and great quality!

I had a pair of sunglasses that needed to be fixed and Google search told me Gregory’s Optical was the closest place to go. I found myself in the shop with a sweet older couple and a cute chubby dachshund. The service was really great, I sat for a few minutes while he tinkered about and it cost me almost nothing to get my sunglasses fixed. I don’t wear glasses, so my optometry experience is limited, but I was really charmed by this place.