NEW YORK—Todd Rogers Eyewear is the winner of the first annual OPTImum Retail Award. The flagship Optical Shop of independent eyewear brand Todd Rogers Eyewear is helmed by veteran optician and eyewear designer Todd Rogers Berberian, LDO. Introduced earlier this year, with the winner announced last night at the Boutique Buyer Cocktail Party here at Vision Expo East, the OPTImum Retail Award celebrates independent boutique retailers by showcasing their products, storefronts, visions and, most importantly, their stories. Runners up were SPEX by Ryan, second place, Eye Q Stylist Opticians, third place, and Atelier Mira, fourth place.

The four finalists were selected by a committee of industry leaders including James Spina, 20/20 Magazine editor in chief and senior VP; Christian Roth, designer and co-founder of Christian Roth Eyewear; and Arian Fartash, OD and Instagram social influencer, @glamoptometrist. Finalists were scored in the categories of innovation, marketing and social media, and aesthetics of their retail space.

Prior to the Show, the Vision Expo social community had the opportunity to view the finalists’ submissions and vote for their favorite retailer. Following the closing of the voting period, the votes cast by attendees were added to committee scores to determine the final winner.

Champions of the Independent Eyewear movement, Rogers and his staff deliver the residents of rural and historic Andover, Mass. with a collection of glasses curated from companies around the globe. The optical shop and optometry practice are housed in a former historic bar and grill, a feast for the eyes artistically as old and new décor collide in a mashup of style. With pieces of the historic bar repurposed into dispensing tables and display, a swanky nod to British spy films, the plaid wall—a nod to Roger's Scottish roots—and the tower of antique books with cheeky names that clients keep adding to, he brings the company’s unofficial motto “Classic, With a Twist” to life.

With unwavering attention to detail, Rogers believes in educating the consumer on why well-made glasses and top of the line materials are non-negotiable and only works with and advocates for the very best in frames and lenses. Plus, Rogers and his expert staff are still one of the "old-school" shops that cut and edge lenses on-site. The Lab, made of glass walls and white subway tile, houses state of the art equipment and allows clients to see first-hand their glasses being custom made.

The back of the Optical shop houses Todd Rogers Eyewear's distribution and design offices. All of these spaces come together as a true celebration of sight, independence, entrepreneurial spirit, vision, creativity, education and commerce. Voted "Best Optical Shop" nine years running by NorthShore Magazine, Rogers has cultivated a following from across the New England area for custom fitting faces with the right frames, delivering spot-on glasses for difficult prescriptions and gently addressing the specific needs of children's eyewear.