At the ribbon-cutting at the new Kodak Lens | Eye Deology Vision
are (l to r) Brian Glass, Signet Armorlite; Midland Optical’s Kim Clynes,
Laurie Sansone and Matt Iovaldi; Robert Farrell, Signet Armorlite;
Robert Dobynes Jr. and his son, Kodak Lens | Eye Deology Vision;
Edward DeRosa, Signet Armorlite; Kevin Bookout, the City of
Bridgeton; and Victor Young, Victor Young Construction. CARLSBAD, Calif.—Lens maker Signet Armorlite Inc. continued to advance its U.S. retail initiative with the opening of a Kodak Lens| Eye Deology Vision location in the St. Louis metro area in early February. In addition, the company is completing the rebranding of two locations in the Detroit metro area (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) that will open shortly, according to Brian Glass, strategic growth manager at Signet Armorlite.
There are additional locations in the U.S. that the lens maker also is working on for 2017, Glass told dba.
Signet Armorlite, which holds the Kodak Lens license, kicked off its retail initiative in December 2015 with the rebranding of its first practice, Heitmeier Physician’s Optical in New Orleans. The practice, owned by David Heitmeier, OD, is now known as Kodak Lens Heitmeier Eyecare.
In 2016, the lens maker rebranded six locations for Dr. Tavel in Indianapolis, Ind., and launched a local media campaign to support the effort, Glass said.
The Kodak Lens retail initiative provides independent eyecare professionals with the opportunity to leverage the strength and recognition of the Kodak marque in their local markets, according to a Signet Armorlite statement. The opportunity is available to independents who are committed to dispensing Kodak lenses, and existing practice owners continue to retain full ownership under the terms of the Signet Armorlite retail initiative, the company said.
At the newest unit in St. Ann, Mo., Robert Dobynes, who grew up in St. Louis, owns the Kodak Lens| Eye Deology Vision location. He noted that by partnering with Kodak Lens he has a “unique opportunity to launch my business with the strength and heritage of the world-renowned Kodak brand.”
Eye Deology Vision is located near the St. Louis airport in “the heart of the revitalized community of St. Ann,” according to a Signet Armorlite statement. The practice is strategically positioned along a main artery—U.S. Route 67—near Interstate 180 and across from the renovated, open air “The Crossings at Northwest” shopping mall.
Dobynes added, “The heritage of Kodak and the strength of Kodak Lens and its full lineup of preferred products provide the perfect way to differentiate my practice as a leading provider in the community. I really couldn’t be more happy and excited with this venture and look forward to its growth and success.”
Edward DeRosa, executive vice president of Signet Armorlite, said in a statement, “Mr. Dobynes has built a successful career in eyecare and is a huge advocate of the Kodak Lens brand and its products. With his appreciation of the Kodak brand, his deep roots in the St. Louis area and his desire to open his first location in the heart of the city, Kodak Lens | Eye Deology Vision is the natural choice to further develop our retail initiative in this market.”
Signet Armorlite, which holds the exclusive license for Kodak Lens in the ophthalmic space through 2029, is celebrating its 68th anniversary. The headquarters and lens technology center, Signetek, are in Carlsbad, Calif.