(Photo: Lauren Potter)
Small businesses provide strength and vitality to our city, and the latest one to open in Downtown Phoenix is a sight for sore eyes (literally).
Owned by local downtown resident, Jason Klepfisz, Urban Eye Care opened its doors to the community at the end of August.
The business is a full-service optometric clinic with independent eye wear and digital retinal imaging services. It offers complete eye health, as well as services to update existing glasses and contact lenses.
Nestled between One Coffee and Comerica bank on the ground floor of the One North Central Building, the business adds to the growing list of top healthcare providers in Downtown Phoenix.
The light-filled space has a striking, architectural design with modern finishes like raw steel, light wood, glass shelving and mirrors. Plants from The Bosque on Roosevelt, and custom valet trays and eyewear cases by Ezra Arthur in the historic Warehouse District provide local touch.
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The elements combine to create the perfect backdrop for its independent and hand-crafted eyewear.
Those in search of the perfect frames can shop from names like Sunday Somewhere, Alice and Olivia, Komono Eyewear, and RVS handmade eye wear.
Unlike some business owners who may commute to downtown from other parts of the Valley, Klepfisz — who has lived in the Valley for 10 years — is a downtowner in every sense of the word.
He lives in the Roosevelt neighborhood with his partner Emily and their two dogs. He attends concerts at The Van Buren, buys his Romaine at the farmer’s market, and he even indulges in the occasional treat from Novel Ice Cream.
Klepfisz aims to keep his business eco-friendly and convenient by providing online scheduling and bill pay. You can even book your appointments by text.
In addition to filling a much-needed niche in the specialty services market, Klepfisz said he hopes to have a positive impact on downtown, like other entrepreneurs in the area.
“I want to be a cornerstone that lifts the community,” he said.
Urban Eye Care
1 N. Central Ave., Suite 115
Phone: 602-288-7227
Hours: Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 1o a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.