Spectacles of Union Square

We wandered in and found the most amazing vintage & original sunglasses and frames here. We loved the record player playing classic vinyl and loved so many of the glasses we had difficulty choosing just a few pairs. Kevin put our prescriptions in as we waited… he even fixed the pair my husband was wearing as we entered the shop. My glasses look and fit perfectly. I can’t think of anywhere else I would go for glasses now… I guess it’s another excuse to visit San Francisco. The original frames we bought have been a source of constant compliments. The vintage ones must have been NOS as they are flawless and like new. Thank you Kevin!

Several months ago someone I know got a new pair of glasses that were so striking on her that I immediately had to know where she got them. That’s when I was told about Spectacles. I made the 90 minute trip from Sacramento to San Francisco to check them out. I received fantastic customer service from a patient saleswoman who listened to my likes and dislikes and made recommendations accordingly. I left with a fun, unique, flattering pair of glasses that immediately became my favorites!
Fast forward several months, my poor specs fell victim to a rogue foot while sitting in the grass at a baseball game. It was my own fault. Who leaves glasses on the ground?! So I made the trip back to San Francisco, and humbly informed the shop employees of my blunder and asked what my options were. Not only did the saleswoman remember me from my previous visit, but a gentleman who I assume worked in the lab popped out of the back, took my glasses with him, returned no more than two minutes later to fit the like-​new frames to my face, and I was on my way! My husband didn’t even have time to find a parking spot before I was done! I was fully prepared to hear that I would need to re-​purchase the frames or send them out for a month of downtime and a hefty fee. This option that they provided was nowhere on my radar.
If you are in the market for new frames, I couldn’t possibly say enough good things about Spectacles of Union Square. They have far exceeded my expectations and have definitely gained a loyal promoter for life!

My wife and I recently purchased glasses. We had excellent help finding the right frames to fit our faces and lifestyles. When I put on my new progressive lenses for the first time I actually started laughing because I couldn’t believe how clear the optics were. My wife had a little trouble with her glasses, but they did a good job debugging the problem and got her taken care of and she is very happy with the final result. It’s a little pricy, but you get great service and a nice personal touch in a fun boutique store away from the crowds. We are very satisfied.

Awesome store. Customer service was the best. Brittany helped me, and the owner Kevin had my prescriptions made in less than 10 minutes. He even offered to help adjust my old glasses so they’d fit better. Great place, and will buy my next pair of glasses from here again!

Great selection and terrific staff. I have been getting my glasses here for 3+ years and I am always pleased with the results. The staff is not afraid to give their opinion on frames and spend a great deal of time helping to select styles that are right for your personality as well as face shape. Not only is the staff knowledgeable but they exceed my expectations on length of time to fulfill prescriptions as well.

5 stars for the unique one of a kind very special frames. Very nice customer service from the owner Kevin. A cool guy who supports shelter dogs.

Loved the section of new and vintage glasses here. Staff was amazing… Margie remembered me when I returned and picked out the glasses I tried on first. All said and done… Glasses picked out and made in one hour!

Over a decade ago I was looking for someone to replicate an ombré effect on a new pair Louis Vuitton sunglasses. I was referred to Spectacles by another eyewear shop and I was not disappointed– Spectacles nailed it. Needless to say I’ve been a customer ever since. I usually buy 1 or 2 new glasses annually. Even my best friend never comes to visit me without a trip to purchase a new pair of glasses from the shop.
I highly recommend!

Best optometrist and frame selection in the Bay Area. The owner Kevin is the man and all the staff is very friendly and super helpful. They have the best selection of designer frames and will get you looking fresh in no time. Keep it up team!

Owner contacted me via email almost a week later. Tried to say they did not make the comment, blah blah blah. … Yeah right… Truth hurts when it comes to light.

These guys rock. I was expecting only the highest end glasses on Maiden Lane, which they have, but this shop also has a huge variety of unique affordable frames. The staff is very accomodating, and they all have a great taste. I was referred here by a friend who also had a great experience. The glasses are a lot cooler than I probably would have picked for myself, but the staff laid out so many options and we filtered it down. The glasses fit great, and the turnaround time, even with Transition lenses was only a couple of days. I get compliments all the time on my glasses. Good looking out Kevin and the staff at Spectacles.

What can I write, we’ve purchased 8 pair of glasses: 6 sunglasses and 2 pair of reading glasses. The service is attentive although not in your face.
The range of choice and design of glasses is exquisite and that is for me what differentiates Spectacles from its competitors and most probably why we keep going back.
Yes, the prices are a bit dear but I invite you to fly to Paris, have a look at the prices of similar sunglasses offered at Colette and then you’ll be well armed with reason to whinge about prices.
If you can’t go to Paris, be grateful that there’s a store in our lovely city that offers choice at a price or, go to Walgreens.

About 2 – 3 weeks ago I got a new eyeglass prescription from my eye doctor and couldnt find any frames that I liked. So I heard that Spectacles had gorgeous and top of the line eyeglasses and so I decided to check it out…
The first time I walked in, the store was nice & clean. All the associates welcomed me and it felt like home walking in. Jaimie assisted with me that day and I can tell you HANDS DOWN SHE’S AWESOME! She was definitely patient with me. We went through what felt like 20 – 30 different frames and she gave her honest opinion which I valued. After I found my new frames, it literally took less than an hour for my glasses to be ready. After walking around Union Square waiting for my glasses, somehow when the frames were getting cleaned, she realized that the polish on the frames came off. Jaimie was so kind enough to call the manufacturer (Chanel) and have them send me new frames free of cost and let me take the frames temporarily until the new pair came so I can see for the time being.
A week later when the new frames came in, the store owner put my lenses in the new frames and was totally nice about it. He instructed me on how to clean my glasses correctly because apparently, even though I didnt notice, there was some white residue inside the frames that he cleaned out for me.
Honestly my experience at Spectacles was the best ever! I’m definitely going to recommend them to everyone and I will also go back to get a second pair of glasses and a pair of sunglasses! I will NOT go anywhere else when it’s time for new frames ever again!!!
THAAANNNNKKKS!!!

This is such a great store. I’m pretty sure I tried on every pair of glasses in the shop, and the staff was REALLY patient. They don’t just tell you that everything you try on looks great– they are quite honest with their opinions if you ask. Since my wardrobe is straight from the Preppy Handbook they gently steered me away from some of my edgier selections. Prices are shockingly reasonable, and they made my glasses for me in less than an hour. I get zillions of compliments every time I wear them.

Incredible optical store. I have been dying to see this store and it was as good as I thought it would be. They have a nice collection of vintage frames and a good selection of others like mykita and Alain mikli and lindberg. Not sure I might have gotten mixed up where I saw some of these as I visited about a half dozen optical stores when I was in up here san fran. Just didnt see any Dita as I thought they would have had maybe it was a few years back and stopped carrying them. Nice store.

I am a fan. I purchased 2 pair of vintage frames. One sunglass with progressive rate lenses and one non sunglass pair. Very expensive. Very super hip and sturdy. They took my prescription right off my current frames and it worked perfectly. I lost the sunglasses and they had them remade and fed ex’d to me tout suite. Love the service. Love the selection. I will fly to SF from PA to buy all my eye wear from now on.

Spectacles has an amazing selection of high end frames. It’s easy to spend a lot of money here.
However, when I spend a lot on glasses, I expect the lenses to be perfect. Unfortunately, they did a very poor job on my tinted lenses: the lenses do not fit snugly in the frames and the (untinted) edges of the lenses are visible from the front side. Rather than take the time to properly fit the lenses, the optician ground them down excessively. I will not be returning to Spectacles SF for lenses.

The best selection of frames I’ve seen in my year of hunting all across the bay area! So good, in fact, that half an hour after I walked through the door, I had spent $ 500 for an incredible pair of vintage glasses, which I had an hour later! I am very happy with the glasses, and — although I’m sure I paid too much — I’ve been looking for the right pair for so long that I was happy to fork it over.
The one major downside for me: they do not take vision insurance, so be prepared to pay in full. $ 500 (anti-​reflective lenses included) is about as low as they get.

I’ve been a customer of this store for over ten years. Which means I’ve purchased at least one pair of glasses every two years along with multiple replacement lenses. My experience there has always been «first class». Beyond that, What’s better than Maiden Lane?
I wear distinctive glasses, some are antiques I’ve purchased elsewhere and yet Kevin is always happy to make them work. His selection of NOS is also quite extensive. Kevin is one of the most knowledgeable eyeglass-​lens professionals out there. If I have a problem or need a tune up they jump right on it.
I’ll be heading down there soon, my prescription is in dire need of updating. Looking forward to it.

Almost immediately after I wrote this review, the owner of the shop contacted me. She was very nice and apologetic and assured me that they do not want their customers treated this way. She was glad that I had found my glasses elsewhere and was happy with them.
I think it says a lot that she reached out and tried to rectify the situation. Thank you!