Story and photo by Laura Richard

Walking into Bronze Optical felt like walking into someone’s home. Cozy rooms were filled with strategically placed antique furniture. No florescent lights. Bronze immediately greeted me with a smile and asked if I cared to join him for a cup of tea.

Bronze Quinton and his life and business partner, Will Fellows, opened the doors to Bronze Optical last September. The east side shop is within biking distance of their home, which was important because they want to minimize their impact on the environment.

Bronze started out 21 years ago in Ohio – a state where all opticians need to be licensed. Once in Wisconsin, where no license is needed, he sensed a shift from a skilled trade to a retail position.

“I’m not a sales person,” he insists. “I’m an optician. They are two very different things. The point of a consultation is to consult on whether this is the right place to get your eyewear.”

Believe it or not, Bronze has actually encouraged people to go elsewhere if he can’t help them. His main concern is “to meet people where they are, listen to what they say, explain their options so that they walk away satisfied.”

Bronze is concerned with building lifetime relationships with his clients. “It’s not about how many glasses I can sell you,” he explains. “It’s about what is in your best interest.”

At Bronze Optical you can find frames ranging from $40 to $400, so there’s something for everyone’s pocketbook.

Bronze has also graciously agreed to be a drop off point for old glasses that are donated to Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners of the Americas that does an annual eyeglass mission bring glasses to the people of Nicaragua.

Bronze Optical
Mon-Fri 11 AM – 5 PM
Sat 10 AM – 4 PM
1568 N Farwell
Phone: 221-7055

Riverwest Currents online edition – June, 2007