Framed
Service
spanning
generations
By Denis Langlois
North Shore Optical Services Ltd.
has been a fixture on the hillside
in North Vancouver for nearly six
decades.
The boutique optical shop first
opened its doors in 1961 by original
owners, Francis and Daryl Baker.
The current owners, Elaine and
Libor Kriz, purchased the business
in 1991, and it remains in its
original location to this day.
Elaine and Libor are both
professionally licensed dispensing
and refracting opticians who
cater to customers seeking quality
service with a personal touch.
Their customers are like family, the
couple says.
Some of the business’s customers
have been coming to the shop since
its opening. Many continue to
bring in their families and friends.
Recently, Optical Prism magazine
spoke with Elaine and Libor Kriz
about their business and plans for
the future.
48 Optical Prism | July 2019
Q. What kind of clientele does
your store service?
A. Though our store sees a broad
range of customers, from children
to the elderly, we are well known
for fitting progressive lenses.
We find the perfect frame for
each customer, drawing out each
person’s personality and style.
Q. What are the primary brand
names your store features?
A. We carry many boutique
designers, such as Lafont, JF Rey,
Dilem, Etnia Barcelona, Modo,
Bloomdale, OGA, Ray-Ban, Rudy
Project, Courtland, Ziggy, Jean
Reno (by Canadian designer
Cendrine Obadia) and more!
Q. What kind of marketing tools
do you use?
A. We rely on local newspapers and
high-star ratings online to spread
the word about our business. Our
number one tool is word of mouth!
Q. What are some of the benefits
of operating an independent
outlet?
A. We are two people driven
by passion and it is that same
passion that drives us to operate
an independent optical store.
Being open to the wonderful
relationships that we developed
over the years has humbled us. We
are thankful and grateful for such
a rich life.
Q. Are there any changes or plans
for the future for your store?
A. We plan to retire or partially
retire in the near future. We are
interested in staying engaged with
the business going forward. We will
be seeking a buyer with a desire to
continue our legacy. OP