History
Right from the beginning Groovy Glasses chose to be different from other Optometry practices. The uniqueness stems from stocking spectacle frames that were more creative, colourful and “out there”. This was in response to hearing from many people over the years that there wasn’t much variety in eyewear choice. Most of the frames are sourced from Europe and have that “je ne sais quoi” everyone craves!
Groovy Glasses was founded by Trudy & Dirk McBeath back in 1999 and in 2022, OCULA acquired Groovy Glasses. OCULA is a boutique eyewear company founded in the South Island of New Zealand, and we are proud to be part of their family.
Location, location, location
The interior of Groovy Glasses is designed with an Art Deco theme and 1960’s antiques. Mainly because we are retro-style enthusiasts ourselves. Plus, we wanted to create an atmosphere that was less clinical and more homely. We have had a bit of a varied history when it comes to location. For a long time we were located in a beautiful brick heritage building in Manchester Street. When the 2010 earthquake came along and cracked the building right down the front, we shifted to Dundas Street temporarily. In October 2010 we re-opened in High Street. This was a beautiful heritage building that had been undamaged by the September quake.
In February 2011 another huge earthquake broke the High street premises! We were closed for 6 months while we searched for more premises. (It took a lot longer that time because so many buildings had been destroyed.)
Post-earthquakes!
We finally found a simple industrial building in Bath Street, still within the central city, and set up business again. However these premises were only ever going to be temporary. There was a demolition clause the lease agreement unfortunately. Beggars couldn’t be choosers! So with very few buildings being available and undamaged at that time, we took a punt and hoped the landlord wouldn’t demolish the building for a few years.
We were very lucky to last 5 years in this situation before finally finding a permanent home in a beautiful heritage building in New Regent Street. The whole street had been strengthened to 67% of New Building Standard post-earthquakes, so we felt privileged to find something that was both picturesque and safe.
The Groovy Glasses view of life
- To change the purchase of glasses and process of having your eyes examined from being a negative experience into being a positive, creative, experience – in other words to make it fun.
- To restore a historic building to its former glory and put it to good commercial use. We decided to go against the trend of making professional offices look as modern as possible, and instead to go back in time to an olde worlde (Art Deco) atmosphere, choosing something from the past which epitomised great style.
- To make a workplace as much like a home as possible, for both the workers and the clients. A third of your life is spent at work, why not turn it into a place that makes you feel good about being there?
Groovy Glasses is where our people are
We are more than a location or a building. Groovy Glasses is about our people. You may recognise a couple of our Groovers who have been a part of the team for over 20 years!