Bobby Ewing’s family has been in the optical business since 1942, and Ewing Optical has been a mainstay of the Royal Palm Beach community since 1986.
His godparents helped his father get started, and he, in turn, helped Ewing when he wanted to open his own store.
“I enjoy doing this,” Ewing said. “I love the satisfaction of helping people.”
Ewing Optical is a full-service operation, with a full inventory of products and an on-site laboratory.
“We do all repairs in-house, and we can deal with any problem, including any damage a customer has caused to their glasses,” Ewing explained. “Lenses can be cut here, which means we are quicker, and oftentimes less expensive than the competition.”
About two months ago — for the first time in nearly 32 years of being in business — Ewing brought in an optometrist to provide eye exams, write prescriptions and order contact lenses for customers who need them.
Denise Waller, Len Rosofsky and Ewing are the three licensed opticians at the store, which is well above industry standards for one store and add to the high level of service available to Ewing Optical customers.
Spending time listening and talking to the customer — while also providing education and service — is what sets the store apart from the big chain optical stores.
“We believe in ‘over the top’ customer service,” Ewing said. “We want to have a conversation with the customer so we can understand what they are going through, and to help educate them.”
He has had entire families as customers over his more than three decades of being in business.
“I have customers who were children when I started who now come in with kids of their own,” Ewing recalled.
The store also has a wide selection of quality products.
“We have low vision aides, binoculars and non-prescription sunglasses,” he said. “We can also make progressive, non-glare and many other specialty lenses, as well as transition sunglasses, which are now polarized when they darken.”
Ewing also emphasized that he and his staff can handle any problem or challenge a customer is facing.
“This is a problem-solving place,” he said. “We will do everything we can to resolve the issue to the customer’s satisfaction.”
One example is that Ewing was asked to make glasses for a 14-week-old infant, who suffered from being cross-eyed, as an alternative to surgery.
“This is a family business,” Ewing explained. “We honestly care about the customers and providing quality products and service to them.”
Ewing Optical is located at 11388 Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. The store’s hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
To learn more, call (561) 798-0244 or e-mail ewingeye@aol.com.
