Show and Tell (and Try On) at Frameri’s Showroom

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Wall o' frames

At only a little over a year old, Frameri definitely feels like a startup. Their Over-the-Rhine office, just across from Washington Park, has all the markings of a young company: bikes are stacked against a wall in the corner, and the main work area is filled with hipster types clicking away on computers.

When I stopped by one morning to pick up some frames for a Cincinnati SHOPS photo shoot, founder Konrad Billetz’s familiar face (remember when they were on Shark Tank?) greeted me at the door. After leading me into the office, he introduced me to Optician and Showroom Manager Halie Schotelkotte, newly hired but clearly a pro at explaining the inner workings of optometry to common folk.

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Optician and Showroom Manager Halie Schotelkotte

Now open for appointments, Frameri’s showroom is dominated by a wall of sleek shelves filled with their signature styles in different colors and finishes. Visitors are welcome to browse and try on styles while Schotelkotte provides helpful information about fit, finishes, and lens options. Once you pick your favorite frames, she takes the appropriate measurements for optical center, pupillary distance, and all sorts of things that sound vaguely familiar to any experienced four-eyes.

Schotelkotte also likes to chat about lifestyle–whether you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, looking down at papers, etc.–to get a better idea of your individual needs. Once your glasses are ready (typically 1-3 business days for normal prescriptions), she’ll spend time reviewing how to use and care for your frames before handing over a smartly branded box containing chic new glasses.

Even though I was technically working, playing with all the interchangeable frames and pop-out lenses was fun! While selecting glasses for the shoot, I tried on a pair of Austen frames in Cheetah and immediately fell in love. Like most of Frameri’s styles, they’re interesting enough to read as intellectual, yet modern enough to stay out of full-blown Urkel territory. Guys will make passes at girls in these glasses, guaranteed.

Visit Frameri at 1308 Race Street in Over-the-Rhine, or online at Frameri.com

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