Whom You Know: Spectacular Spectacles from Jon Gruen in Peachy's Most Favorite Locations: Manhattan, Connecticut and the Hamptons

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Spectacular Spectacles from Jon Gruen in Peachy's Most Favorite Locations: Manhattan, Connecticut and the Hamptons

With over thirty years in the optical industry, Jon Gruen has made a name for himself by re-inventing the retail optical experience. With eight locations in some of the Northeast’s most desirable locations, including New York’s prestigious Lexington and Madison Avenues and two outposts in the über chic Hamptons, the Bolivian-born German has come a long way since he arrived in New York City in 1964 with $98.00 in his pocket. We look forward to featuring him as a Mover and Shaker!

Jon had a humble start, working in the mail room of an insurance brokerage firm, before he became the optical giant that he is today. Married to the love of his life, with three beautiful daughters, Jon also dedicates his time and energy by supporting causes that are extremely important to him. Jon is actively involved and supports many charities. He recently chaired two summer events in the Hamptons benefitting the American Heart Association. Additionally, he is involved in the Celiac Foundation and many youth organizations. Jon spends his time in Manhattan and The Hamptons with his wife Joan and three daughters Jarra, Jadry, and Jani.

Before the arrival of his 21st birthday, Jon passed the Board and graduated at the top of his class after attending optical school at night and working at an optical store in Brooklyn during the day. Jon then borrowed money to open his first optical boutique and forge his brand, GRUEN OPTIKA. The boutique was the first boutique optical store in New York and catered to fashion savvy clients, as it specialized in imported proprietary frames from Germany, Italy, France, England, and Asia.

As Gruen became known throughout New York as the place to shop for unique products and extraordinary service, Jon continued to dominate the eyewear industry by creating Eyewear International, an optical manufacturing and distributing company that grew to over 1000 customers worldwide. The company expanded rapidly and in 2000 Jon sold his enterprise (7 locations) to HDS Partners, who changed the company name to GRUENEYES.

After a seven year stint in the real estate industry, Jon and his partner, Harvey Ross, bought GRUENEYES back from HSD Partners in 2007. Since purchasing the company, Jon has taken GRUENEYES to the next level. With a new concept store on Madison Avenue at79th Street, under a new name- OPTYX by gruen, Jon has promising plans for the ever-expanding company.

The traditional optical retail approach is that most establishments emphasize the “medical” aspect of the practice, concentrating on “patients” as opposed to “clients.” OPTYX by gruen, however, is intent on changing the way people think about eyewear. Jon encourages clients to own several pairs and create a wardrobe of eyeglasses instead of wearing the same pair day after day. He works with clients to provide chic yet functional eyewear solutions and can customize any frame. Even with their fashion focus approach, OPTYX by gruen offers eye examinations, routine diagnostic eye care and contact lens fittings by personable and professional doctors of Optometry. OPTYX by gruen offers their clients second to none service, trendsetting designs and only the best Optometric professionals in the city.

In addition to offering their own leading design collections of exceptional frames at fair, Jon Gruen also travels to Milan, Paris and Tokyo to find the hottest looks and the most sought-after designer labels.

With clients ranging from, the infamous eyeglass addict, Elton John to the likes of supermodel Kate Moss and former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, OPTYX by gruen prides themselves on their high profile and elite clientele.

Jon continues to reinvent the eyewear business, with his innovative theory that eyeglasses can and should be one of the clients’ most important fashion accessories.

Founded: Over 30 years under the name GRUEN OPTIKA.

Re-launched: 2001, under the name GRUENEYES.

Corporate Locations: grueneyes

1225 Lexington Avenue

(Between 82nd Street and 83rd Street)

New York, NY

T: 212.628.2493

F: 212.628.2794

Website: www.grueneyes.com

President & CEO: Jon Gruen

History: After 30 years of developing his revolutionary concept in retail optical and founding Gruen Optika, Jon Gruen sold his company to Canadian Banking Firm HSD partners; in 2001 HSD changed the name of the company to GRUENEYES, and in October 2007, Jon and Partner Harvey Ross, Chairman of HM Ross Holdings, re-acquired the company. Today the company focuses on all aspects of a new the retail optical experience.

Description: Optyx by gruen is the newest expansion of grueneyes and takes grueneyes to the next level by offering a high-end collection of designer eyewear. Their highly experienced and trained staff of opticians focuses on giving customers the opportunity to find the perfect style, while providing quality and friendly service. Grueneyes and Optyx by gruen pride themselves in offering doctors of Optometry who provide the finest eye examinations and contact lens fittings. With so many designers releasing their own lines of eyewear, the company works closely with their distributors to assure only the finest and up-to-date frames in their stores. Each season, Grueneyes and Optyx by gruen send a team to travel from New York to Paris, Milan and Tokyo to seek the latest fashion trends in eyewear.

Featured Designers:

Alviero Martini
Betsey Johnson
Bulgari
Calvin Klein
Cartier
Chanel
Dolce & Gabbana
Emilio Pucci
Fendi
Italee 2.5
John Varvatos
Judith Lieber
Karl Largerfeld
Luxee
Maui Jim
Oliver Peoples
Ray Ban
Persol
Prada
Vera Wang

Celebrity Clients: Harrison Ford, John Travolta, Eric Clapton, Diana Ross, Dennis Hopper, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Janet Jackson, Kate Moss, Elle Macpherson, Tom Cruise, Tina Turner, Johnny Depp, Valentino, Madonna, Tom Hanks, Naomi Campbell, Billy Joel, Mia Farrow, Lauren Hutton, Lauren Bacall, Carlos Santana, Steven Spielberg, Sting, Cher, Isabella Rosselini, Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Regis Philbin, Alec Baldwin, and Elton John.

Charity Affiliations: Grueneyes & OPTYX by gruen believe it is very important to give back to the community. Every year, Grueneyes & OPTYX by gruen provides donations to:

* Albert Einstein College of Medicine * American Heart Association * Anderson School Imperial Ball: Women’s Health & Counseling Center * Babies Heart Fund * Cancer Care of the Hamptons * Catwalk for a Cure * City of Hope * City of Hope Cancer Center * Colaio Renaissance * Columbia Grammar & Prep School * Dominican Academy Mother & Daughter Luncheon * Hawthorne Foundation * Heartbeat Cabaret * Heartbeats of the World * Horace Mann School * Hunter College * Italian American Cancer Foundation * Kinneret Day School * Love Bites * Making Headway Foundation * Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Surgical Day Hospital Reception * New Eyes for the Needy * Peer Health Exchange * PS 199 * PS 6 * PS 87 * Regis High School/Annual Auction * The American Jewish Committee * The Arthritis Society * The Hewitt School * The Manhattan Society * The Orchid Ball * Theater Works/USA Gala * UJA Federation of New York * United Way of Greenwich * USA Networks * Vosh * YMCA of Greenwich, CT

Locations: Manhattan Locations

EAST SIDE

599 Lexington Avenue 1225 Lexington Avenue

(Between 52nd and 53rd) (Between 82nd and 83rd)

New York, NY New York, NY

T: 212.688.3580 T: 212.628.2493

F: 212.688.1339 F: 212.628.2794

1076 Third Avenue OPTYX by gruen

(Between 63rd and 64th) 1022 Madison Avenue

New York, NY (Between 78th and 79th)

T: 212.751.6177 New York, NY

F: 212.759.2190 T. 212.439.8590

WEST SIDE

2384 Broadway – Main Office 2009 Broadway

(Between 87th and 88th) (Between 68th and 69th)

New York, NY New York, NY

T: 212.724.0850 T: 212.874.8749

F: 212.769.9558 F: 212.769.9558

Connecticut Locations

GREENWICH

229 Greenwich Avenue

Greenwich, CT

T: 203.862.9441

F: 212.862.9443

Hamptons Location

EAST HAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON

OPTYX by gruen OPTYX by gruen

10 Main Street 28 Jobs Lane

(Near Newton Lane) Southampton, NY 11968

East Hampton, NY T.631.287.2549

T: 631.324.5441

F: 631.907.9813

Opening Hours: All Manhattan Locations

Monday-Friday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Sunday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

East Hampton Location

Monday: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Tuesday: CLOSED

Wednesday-Friday: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Saturday: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Sunday: 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Southampton Location

Monday & Tuesday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Wednesday: CLOSED

Thursday & Friday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Summer Hours in the Hamptons (June thru September)

Monday-Thursday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Friday & Saturday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Connecticut Location

Monday-Saturday: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Sunday: CLOSED
*All Major Credit Cards Accepted*

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