Tucked away in a medical lab building near North York General Hospital, Medical Arts Optical is just the kind of hidden gem that deserves to be featured on Yelp.
To say that the store lacks curb appeal would be an understatement. I think that they have a neon sign, but for the most part it's hidden behind a featureless brick wall.
Walk inside and it's not much better. Racks of glasses are arranged by designed. Brand name hounds will find a few they know, and a lot of cool frames that they might not have encountered before. You'll find something that suits you, but if you stick to open stock you only get half the story.
Sales help varies greatly. Two women help run the shop. They're friendly, and if your tastes align you'll go home happy enough, but even they aren't the reason to shop here.
Ask to see Perry, the owner. The man is an evil optical wizard when it comes to finding the right frames for the right person. Incredibly patient, he'll pass you every pair on the shelves if that's what it takes; and will duck into his secret stash to find you something extra-snazzy. If you want something a bit more cutting-edge, or to catch a trend before it hits, chances are he's on it. More importantly, he makes sure that the lenses are aligned properly, coated and perfectly suited to your needs.
I can see clearly now; and Medical Arts Optical is my destination when I want to look good while seeing great.