Indie optical shop Sights & Shades in downtown Canandaigua offers eco-friendly frames

Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·2 min read

CANANDAIGUA – Jennifer Yerden remembers she just kind of fell into being an optician, but now she can't see herself doing anything else.

Early in her working life, a friend of hers from high school said an optical business was hiring, so Yerden applied and got the job. That same friend told Yerden if she was offered an apprenticeship, she should take it, which she did.

Twenty-plus years later, here she is – opening her own business, Sights & Shades at 230 S. Main St., Canandaigua.

And after years of working in practices large and small, the Farmington resident said it was time to try something new.

"I just wanted to do something for myself," Yerden said. "I love retail. I love medical. I love what I do, and I love working with people."

Friends, family and city leaders join optician Jennifer Yerden on the official opening of her Sights & Shades on Main Street in Canandaigua.
Friends, family and city leaders join optician Jennifer Yerden on the official opening of her Sights & Shades on Main Street in Canandaigua.

Sights & Shades – yes, the double alliteration is on purpose – offers lines of eyewear from Sea2see, with cases and frames made from recycled marine plastic, and Maui Jim polarized sunglasses.

Her favorite line, Tom Davies, makes handmade, customized frames in London.

"He made glasses for the movie 'Cruella' and also the latest 'Matrix,' so that is really cool," said Yerden, who wants to infuse fashion and fun into her business.

Yerden also has equipment onsite to cut lenses to frames, increasing turnaround time for customers. She also handles the nuts and bolts of the business here – adjustments and repairs.

"I wanted to be more 'boutiquey' of a shop," Yerden said. "There are great doctors here, great practices and I just thought I’d fill that niche so that people wouldn’t necessarily have to drive to the city of Rochester to find something a little more unique right in their backyard."

More details

Sights & Shades is at 230 S. Main St., Canandaigua. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For information, call 585-905-0029, email sightsandshades@gmail.com or visit sightsandshades.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Sights & Shades opens in downtown Canandaigua