Reviews of Academy Optical (Optics Shop)

David Newsham D.C.

I have purchased all my glasses there for the last 10 years. Rhonda spends a lot of time making sure I look great (tough job!) in the glasses I leave with. Very personable and friendly place. If you are in the market for new glasses, make sure you let Rhonda find the right look for you!

David Greaves

I’ve been meaning to write this review for years. Each time I pop in I’m always welcomed by Zvi and Rhonda and no matter what I need; whether it’s a tightening, a straightening or new frames, the service always makes me feel like I’m important to them. Local businesses are special and we need to ensure we support them. Rhonda and Zvi know their stuff.

Jim Jorgenson

What a great store you have! Terrific selection. Thank you Rhonda, for selecting just the right frames for me. Everything was just perfect. I couldn't be more pleased.

Cheryl Kreis

High praises for this Optical and BRAVO for being a Local Business. I have never been so pleased with my frames and fit. And the compliments just keep coming. Rhonda, never have a met such a talent at picking out suitable frames, and your knowledge of the industry regarding quality lenses. I have been wearing glasses my whole life. Academy Optical, was recommended by a couple of people after moving back from Ottawa and needed a new pair of glasses. An absolute Gem of a small business that has been around for so many years. I highly recommend Academy Optical to anyone that asks.

Arthur McLeod

I've been shopping at Academy for 15+ years. I am not a person who knows what I am looking for; I trust those who know style to guide me. Rhonda has always set me up with frames that are currently and as trendy as I am willing to be. I don't worry about fit or or what suits me because I know she won't let me leave with anything unsuitable. She knows her collection intimately, and can quickly find what works. If are someone blessed with fashion sense you will find high quality, current styles to choose from, fitted to you by the owner.

D H

4 months after purchase the frames broke (I work a desk job, no heavy use. Previous frames had lasted 10 years). They said they would replace the arm, NEVER mentioned me paying for the replacement. Then 10 seconds after she put the new arm on she tells me it's my fault they broke and that I have to pay $120 for the arms. When I said that's a crazy way to treat customers, offer to replace, order them THEN tell me I'm paying for them... she backpedals and says they'll try to get it under warranty or will cover it themselves. Why wasn't warranty the first choice?!? She'd previously told me I could get the frames in a finish that didn't actually exist and then the glasses were done a week later than she said they would be. She is completely unapologetic about any of this. Hard to imagine worse customer service.

Travis Dyck

Being rude over the phone is worthy of a negative review on the interweb.

Randy Rowland

Absolutely wonderful

Jeffrey Gordon

Best place in winnipeg for eye glasses

Mary Houston

Friendly Staff. Very pricy, will nonchalantly include expensive extras. Forgot to take the pupil distance measurement so I had to go back. And, to top it off, refused to cancel my order when I called back the next morning stating that a veterinary emergency had occurred the evening after I ordered the glasses and that I would have a hard time affording the vet bills. Not to be confused the optometrist office above the store, I've been a patient for years and have no complaints.

Diane Wisniewski

Had a great experience when I purchased my first pair of glasses at Academy Optical. VERY professional and VERY knowledgeable! I have been wearing glasses since I was 9 years old and am in my mid 60s now, so know a thing or two about what works for me, and what doesn’t. Rhonda asked me if I would like to go a bit outside of my “comfort zone”. I immediately said sure, and, with my okay, went about choosing some frame styles for me that she felt would fit my face and my colouring. Boy, did she nail it!!! The fresh new style frames that she brought for me to select from, made it a hard choice for me! And the ones we finally decided upon have garnered many, many great compliments! The very best and most unexpected compliment came from a rather unusual source … we were flying recently and, as we were disembarking the plane, the flight attendant stopped me at the exit door and said: “I absolutely love your glasses! I noticed them as you were sleeping and I was coming by your seat. They complement you perfectly!” It is always nice to receive compliments from family and friends as they see you in your new glasses for the first time … but to hear from a total stranger took me off guard. What a nice thing to say for someone to say!

Matt P

This place was recommended to me and I am very happy I took that recommendation and went there. The lady there (didn't catch her name) was extremely helpful in finding me nice frames that fit my weird face and my insurance budget. Came away with two great pairs that I feel are much higher quality than my previous, more expensive pair that I was replacing. Thank you very much!

Saul Jacobson

Terrific service and wonderful selection of frames. Best locally owned boutique in the city. Rhonda is amazing!!

Erin Taylor-Goble

I had been looking for new glasses for some time when I decided to check out Academy Optical. Rhonda was very helpful and they had a unique stock of frames and I could actually find glasses that fit my thin face! Although they are the most expensive glasses I have owned to date, when I consider the time I wear them (all day wearer, replacing my glasses about every 4-5 years) the overall cost per day was less than 50 cents. I look forward to going back again when I need my next pair! Thanks!

Toni Skoglund

This review is for my first impression as a new eyeglass wearer. I Googled local eyeglass shops in Winnipeg and missed this independent retailer based on their poor showing on the search results page. But, while I was on Academy for some other business I noticed their nondescript road sign and thought "why not" and stopped in. Glad I did. The owner helped me with just the right amount of service at the right times. When I first came in she asked if I wanted help and then pointed me to their selection of glasses and let me browse. She checked in once or twice but respected that I just wanted to look. When, finally, I had a couple of pairs of frames set aside she stepped in and invited me to sit down for a look with her. She gave me her opinion of the choices I made and then asked me questions about why I need glasses, what I would be doing while wearing my glasses and then made a recommendation of lenses that would best suit my needs. She was the only one of about 5 eyeglass stores that got to know my specific needs and she spent a lot of time asking probing questions and listening to my answers. She then made suggestions supported by her expertise in the business. This place was great and I ended up making a purchase. Their small business, community approach was refreshing compared to the aggressive approach used by Lenscrafters or the apathetic approach used at Pearle Vision. I recommend this place. It's likely not going to be on your radar screen because of their limited online presence and their modest retail presence. They seem to be all about the customer experience - if the customer actually finds them.