New Days Optical Lab

Closed??? Really sad to hear that New Days is gone. John is a master with glasses. Does anyone know if he is still around somewhere?

walked in there just wanted to see if he could repair my ray ban aviators, he looks at them and to his utter disgust he just told me to buy another pair and that there cheap. after i said ok i decided to look around and see what eye wear is about, and he decided that i wasent worth his time since i dont wear glasses, just sunglasses cause so im so freaking cool, this guy is a jack-​off salesman,

Seriously amazing customer service. Very dedicated to getting everything perfect for the customer.

I moved to California a few years ago but still come here for my glasses because John is by far the best craftsman I’ve ever found, and I have been wearing glasses for 53 years. He fits you perfectly and his suggestions about what looks good are exactly right. He takes his time so set aside enough time. It is more than worth it for great service and perfect results.

John Hwang is a true professional. He understands optics and how to fit a pair of glasses to your face. He can handle the most complex of situations — and does so with honesty and expertise.
I can not recommend him highly enough. If I ever moved from Chicago I would come back to get my glasses from John Hwang.

This place is terrible. Ask the owner a couple questions on the phone before you come into the store and you will get an idea of the service.
I went into this shop and the owner, John, was the rudest human I have every encountered. I asked to try on some sunglasses and he straight up said he isn’t here to play games and he doesn’t have time for me if I am not buying anything. He showed me one pair of frames and then walked away to go read his book on his folding chair at the entrance of the shop. Wtf. I was the ONLY person in the shop. I said I am the only person here what is the problem, and his response was that he mostly makes lenses and doesn’t care about frames. Worst retail experience of my life without a doubt.
DO NOT GO TO NEW DAYS OPTICAL LAB. TERRIBLE.

At New Days Optical I bought the best glasses I’ve ever worn in my life.
The optician spent twenty minutes fitting my frames especially for my ears and nose, making them extremely comfortable. For the first time I have some new glasses that won’t leave creases on the side of my head or deep marks on the bridge of my nose. The glasses are also the clearest and best crafted that I have ever used, bar none.
Yes, they were more expensive, and yes, they took longer to make. But that’s because this place is run by a man who cares about glasses, wants them to be perfect for you, and tries very hard to make that happen. He’s a stickler for details and the only person I trust with my eyes.

When I need (or want) new glasses, I immediately think of New Days. John Hwang, the owner/​optician, is a real craftsman and treats his customers right. He is not hesitant to suggest a new style or color of frame and adjusts his recommendations to the customer’s wants. He works with many types of lenses, including wrap-​arounds which is a godsend for those of us who need sturdy sports styles. He is up-​to-​date on lens materials and coatings and suggests the right one for your budget and preference.
John is very loyal to his customers as his customers are to him. I think he remembers every pair that he has ever sold me as well as the adjustments to my prescriptions over time. I have gone back on occasion when my frames are misaligned, and he refits me as if it were a totally new pair. He is a true perfectionist.
If you are in a hurry and don’t have the time to get to know John and his practice, this is probably not the place for you. If you want a great pair of stylish glasses with an excellent fit, New Days is the way to go.

Excellent place! Let me just say that if you care enough to have the glasses you put on your head to fit, work with your face, and not fall heavy on your nose or ears all while knowing that a professional craftsman is there for you if anything needs attention, New Days Optical is a must!
What all the other raving reviews say about John, the owner/​eyeglass extraordinaire is right. He gives you the actual service, attention and care you really should come to expect in such an important personal purchase. The fitting experience he meticulously provides to you is something you probably will rarely experience outside this place. There is something to be said about people who really takes pride in their work. Quality, attention, preciseness and amazing customer experience pretty much sums up this place. Just a heads up, this place is a one man run shop so put some extra time in your schedule if you are coming here just in-​case he is tending another customer when you walk in.

I got glasses here last year after reading the great Unilocal reviews. I was glad I did, I probably wouldn’t have gone here otherwise because it looks kind of like a hole in the wall, but it has a great selection at decent prices. The owner was very helpful and dedicated to finding me a great pair of glasses. He even adjusted my Mom’s glasses (who wasn’t shopping for new ones) while we were there because he could see they were uneven. I couldn’t be happier with my glasses! Don’t go here when you’re in a hurry though, the owner does love to talk.

John was extremely helpful and so precise with the eyeglasses fitting — he is definitely a skilled artisan and wants to only sell you the highest of quality product that feels great and looks great on you. I would highly recommend buying your frames here. He gives you the time of day that you deserve — considering that your glasses are an extension of your body and something that you will wear on your face for many years — spending time to find the best glasses for your face and meticulously adjusting them to perfection is crucial. I will never buy my glasses from anyone else ever again. Don’t let the outdated exterior of this place fool you. He has a great selection and truly cares about his customers as well as the craft.

This guy is a total jerk. I just went in to look at frames. I wanted to be sure the place I went to had frames I would wear.
I asked to try a few on and he puffed out like a chicken, said he’s a very serious doctor! The best!” Then he went and sat behind his desk. I was unsure what just happened so I said, «So…I can’t try any on?» «NO!»
I’m not sure why he did that but it was a total jerk move and I would only go here if you enjoy getting yelled at, otherwise I would stay away.

I can see clearly now… I do NOT need a fancy schmancy optical shop to make me happy. John is the absolute best at what he does and that makes all the difference in the world. No one was able to do my husband’s lenses the way he wanted (certainly not the über sparkly high end boutiques that we thought would provide such good service and quality)…until we went into that funky, old school, cram-​packed-​fulla-​frames storefront on Broadway and spent some time with John. He cares about quality, and he cares about customer service. Period. I was shocked to find an awesome, extensive modern frame selection with all the current designers/​styles, and we left with a totally sweet pair of specs for the hubs and two glam pairs of sunglasses for me. What a great experience, this is the stuff that creates loyalty.

Three stars for their frame selection. It was ok, but there wasn’t anything special going on. But, after reading the rave reviews I feel like I have to give this place another look.

This place is great. John is the best. I bought a pair of prescription Oakley sunglasses and even though Oakley makes their own lenses back at the factory John took a long time with me selecting the right ones and then making sure when mine came in to ‘fit’ them a litter better than off the shelf. Also my wife bought some stock Prada sunglasses that yes he may have pushed her towards but with good reason. They lasted roughly three years until the Pacific Ocean recently snagged them off her head in Hawaii. :-/
Again with her John took extra care to fit them to her head. She even went back when we lived in the city for regular re-​adjustments (free of charge of course). John gave her an out of this world price on them in the end way lower than the big department stores.
She’s in the market for a new pair and we’ll be back soon to find her her next set.
John may take a little longer with each customer so your wait may be a little longer, but take your time and browse the huge selection he has, it will be worth the time, trust me.
High end designer glasses/​sunglasses at a moderate price.

Do not be deceived by the non corporate, slick store design. They have all the latest frames and can get you anything you want but here’s the real story; Ive been wearing glasses since I was seven and last week, never got the attention and service from a eyeglass store than I got with John! I’ve never realized how important and how technical matching your prescription to your frames are and how your frames fit your face! Not every frame will work and John will take at least 45 – 60 minutes to get your prescription and frame to fit perfect before he orders the lenses! He also fits your lenses in the frame personally with the skill of a diamond cutter. He will not let you leave until your glasses and vision are perfect!
In 40 years I have never seen with glasses better!
TIP: Be sure to go to a good optometrist, not a hack from one of the chain stores! Johns talent will expose a bad prescription during the fitting process and you will have to go back for a new exam. Remember, the chain stores are in it to sell frames at huge margins and unlike Johns lenses, their lenses are made in China! — of course, the exams are free to get you in the stores! By the way, Johns lenses are made in France by the worlds best optical labs. They are more expensive but worth every penny.
Ive learned a lot about glasses now and will never go to a chain eyeglass store again! Johns my guy for life!

My experience at New Days has been nothing short of exceptional. Before I knew how skilled John was in lens making, I remember telling a friend of my first experience at the store.
I was surfing the net for Oakley sunglasses and discovered New Days had better pricing than anything on the net. I drove to the Lakeview store hoping they were still in stock. While browsing the sunglasses, John noted my glasses were slightly uneven and asked if he could fix them. I was supposedly «fitted» at my optometrist, but they still slid down my nose from time to time. I agreed. Through squinting eyes, he painstakingly adjusted them to my face. After his fitting, they were perfectly lightly cradled on the bridge of my nose and ears. I could flick my head really fast and they didn’t budge. Yay! Oakley sunglasses at a great price and my glasses felt like new. I told my friend, «I met this store owner that seems to be so happy with his profession that he oozes peaceful contentment.» He makes you want to give him your business. And thus began my patronage…
Even though I have vision insurance and get an allowance towards glasses each year with my optometrist, I still go to John for frames and lens replacements. His prices are competitive and he really takes pride in the quality, care, and maintenance of his work.
Great selection of economical or designer frames and sunglasses. If it’s not in the store, he will most likely be able to order the frames. The store is dated, but you’ll quickly overlook that once you see how wonderful he is at his craft.

John is the shit…
This little, teeny, tiny, fluorescent bulb lit store is just EXACTLY where you want to go to get your glasses.
John does his best, to make the customers happy.
And he does it unassumingly, and unapologetically, his way.
If you try on a pair of glasses, and you think you look great, but in fact, you look like a tool-box…he’ll tell you!
In, his very John sort of way…
If you hear the word «statement» uttered more than once in a sentence, that means, the glasses you are trying on are VERY different, and WILL get you noticed… and if he looks at you out of the corner of his eye while delivering the aforementioned word…
Well, you might think about trying on a different pair.
Always timely, always right on the money.
Awesome…love the guy. We’re moving to New York… and we’ll still come back to get our glasses from him.

Wow. If you are looking for a place to get amazing customer service, great prices on glasses, and an experience unlike any other while getting fitted for your glasses — you will love this place.
Dr. John came highly recommended from friends at work and he exceeded my expectations. The modest little store on Broadway in Lakeview is bursting at the seams with glasses from the 80’s to the most stylish Prada glasses of today. And Dr. John will assist from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.
If you have a chance, read the Sun Times article on the wall about the place. Amazing.

I moved to San Francisco from Chicago in 2004 and I still miss New Days Optical. If I need anything to do with glasses when I come to town, I go. There’s just no need to hit a chain store when you’ve got Dr. John there to help you «create your own image!»
Things that are better here than anywhere else I’ve been, Chicago or SF:
1. Frame selection — variety of styles, brands, prices.
2. Advice on what to get — I wouldn’t have picked Dr. John out of a crowd to help me choose glasses, because he pretty much looks like a regular guy who owns a store and not like a fashion maven. But the man KNOWS FACES. He has never suggested a frame style that didn’t compliment my face, even when ultimately I chose a different look.
3. Fitting — Dr. John will take a long-​ass time to adjust the frames to work with your face’s subtle or not-​so-​subtle asymmetries. Be patient, because after he’s done they will stay on and feel great and not touch your eyelashes or look crooked or anything annoying like that. He did my sunglasses too and I love how they feel now!
Extra bonus: after you’re done, you can stroll right down to Intelligentsia and look like a genius while you read your paper and sip your coffee or tea.
Extra super bonus: Dr. John owns this place and appears to be the only person who works there. It doesn’t get more local than that — support small businesses AND true professional excellence!