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EDUCATION KEY AT FOURTH AVENUE VISION CENTRE
Q . What kind of clientele does your store service ? A . Our store provides service to a wide range of clients including many baby boomers . Many of our clients have been coming to us , first with their parents as a child and now they bring their children to us . So we have served third-generation families .
Q . What are the primary brand names your store features ? What are your most popular styles ? A . We designed our store to be welcoming and comfortable for clients . Our current displays are set up to easily showcase different brands . We carry unique frames such as Kio Yamato , l . a . Eyeworks , Silhouette , Seraphin , OGA and Spectacle Eyeworks . We prefer to choose frames based on quality and style rather than popular name brands .
Dave and Linda Dunkley , owners of Fourth Avenue Vision Centre in Saskatoon , Sask .
Optician Dave Dunkley says a top priority for staff at Fourth Avenue Vision Centre is to educate customers about the best lenses and frames to suit their needs .
“ We feel that an informed customer is someone who makes better decisions ,” says the website for the Saskatoon , Sask ., optical shop .
The vision centre runs a blog on its website , which is regularly updated with information on the business and how to protect the eyes and improve vision . Staff also post often on Facebook .
Dave , who has been dispensing eyewear since 1975 , and his wife Linda became the sole owners of Fourth Avenue Vision Centre five years ago . The dispensary opened more than 20 years ago and Dave joined the team in 1998 .
Four people , including the Dunkleys , work at the store . Recently , Dave discussed his business with Optical Prism magazine .
Q . What kind of marketing tools do you use ? A . Since moving to our new location , we have experimented with our own website , Facebook and Google . We tried flyers with little success . It ’ s been a learning process as none of us had prior marketing knowledge . So far , word-of-mouth is still the best form of advertising for us .
Q . What are some of the benefits of operating an independent outlet ? A . Our store reflects our personal values and preferences . The biggest advantage of owning an independent practice is the ability to choose products that suit our and our client ’ s needs . As an independent practice , we can bring in new and exciting frames or close on a long weekend . We have the freedom to choose .
Q . Are there any changes or plans for the future for the store ? A . We are constantly learning and adapting to changes in the industry , such as digital marketing and online competition , so we can continue to grow and improve our business .
48 Optical Prism | April 2017