Category: Journal

Today marks 5 years in the UK for our Dutch superstar Frederike. She followed her heart to the north east of England and has never looked back… apart from waving off her friends on the Amsterdam ferry!

So Frederike, having worked in some top eyewear establishments in Amsterdam and London, how does life in Newcastle compare?

The biggest difference I notice here is how friendly everyone is. The Grey St. clients have welcomed me with open arms and are really fun to choose glasses with. My Geordie accent is improving all the time!

How does it differ from an opticians in Amsterdam?

I was already familiar with many top brands, such as Theo and Dita,  from my work in Amsterdam, but Grey St. Optician have brought all these brands together. It’s great to work with such an eclectic range of frames. I’m also involved in selecting the frames for our collection, which I love. 

Things have changed a lot since you joined our team… How are you finding the new look Grey St. Optician?

It’s amazing! The whole team were involved in the design process so it really feels like it represents “us”.  

It’s so different from the way it was before… I think the only thing that’s stayed the same is my colleagues, which is good because I love working with them. 

My favourite part of the new shop is the big, central table where we do our frame-styling. It’s a very social space and makes choosing the frames feel very personal. I love getting to know all of our amazing clients! 

Frederike will be heading back to Amsterdam on 20th December to visit her family for Christmas so please call in before then to see her!

Our new look store is fully up and running. If you haven’t been in yet, here’s a sneak peek inside!

The first thing people say, after “wow”, is that it feels a lot bigger!

Despite the spacious feel, we have more frames in stock than ever before; almost a thousand pairs of amazing glasses in fact. That sounds like a lot to try on! To make it easier for you, we have a team of dedicated eyewear nuts, all with an encyclopedic knowledge of frames, sizes and colours who can help you out. You show us the styles you like from our display gallery, we’ll show you a host of similar options (and maybe some that are a little different) to help you find the perfect frame (or frames) for you! Our large central table is where the magic happens, usually over a glass of beer or a good cup of coffee.

We would be delighted if you come in to visit our all-new store. We are in the same place at the top of Grey Street.

To get the full Grey St. experience it is best to book in a frame consultation. They are FREE and there is no obligation to buy. We love what we do!

It’s the same business, the same staff and the same location, just an all new look… and some exciting new frames!

The aim was to restore the original features of this amazing Georgian building, with the high ceiling and huge windows into the historic Central Arcade taking prominence. We also discovered a few interesting features that we weren’t expecting! More about that later…

Here’s some pics of the work in progress:

The work is now complete and the dust has (just about) settled. Come and take a look at the all new Grey St. Optician!

Our shop fit is finally upon us!

The plans look great and we can’t wait to show you the all new Grey St. Optician!

To make the magic happen we need to CLOSE from Monday 15th October to Thursday 25th October.

We won’t be able to offer eye exams during this period so if you need a test or new glasses, be sure to book in quick! We have allowed extra clinic space this week (which is filling up fast!) and have extended our California Dreaming offer until the shop fit commences.

Existing orders

Don’t worry, we will still be around throughout the shop fit! We will answer phone calls and emails as normal and you can collect your glasses and contact lenses from our temporary hangout nearby. Details will follow next week…

11 YEARS

We had hoped to do the shop fit for our store’s 10th birthday but now it is our 11th! Time flies when you are trying to negotiate a new lease!! Fortunately the lease is all sorted now so we’ll be here for at least another ten years! Hooray!

We have updated our opening times. We are always super busy at the end of the day so we figured opening a little later would be more convenient for you all. Here’s our new opening hours:

9.30am-6pm on Mon, Tue, Wed and Friday

9.30am-7pm on Thursday

9.30-5.30pm on Saturday

We are CLOSING AT 3PM today and racing along to Tynemouth for Rachel and Adam’s wedding!

Have a fantastic day Rachel!!!!

Time for a new pair of sunnies but no idea where to start? Looking for a versatile piece for every occasion, or something new to compliment your collection?

The Grey St. Guide to Sunglasses 2018 will help you find your perfect pair of shades…

Stay Classic

If you’re looking for classic shapes, you’ve come to the right place. The Grey St. shelves are packed with P3s – that’s the preppy, almost round frames that are all the rage right now!

Black and tortoiseshell timeless, and crystal colourways are a slick alternative but still neutral. If you’re ready for a change from acetates, try tailored metal with a brushed finish.

If this is your style, take a look at our collections by Oliver Peoples and Garrett Leight… and ask to sneak a peek at our super-exclusive Mr Leight collection!

Think Glamour:

Nothing says glamour like a perfect Cat-eye, and this season is no different.  From subtle to striking, we’ve got it all.  You bring the sass and we’ll find your sunglass…

Squared: Wayfarers and so much more…

If there’s one thing that everyone agrees, it’s that Wayfarers are timeless, but if you prefer a more refined look there are plenty of lighter variations to choose from.
Every face suits a rectangular sunglass, and finding the right one for you is all in the detail; smooth angles are effortless, while sharp corners have an edge. Choose a keyhole bridge for vintage vibes, or a straight brow line for a contemporary touch.

And for something completely different…

Occasionally, the world’s finest sunglass designers like to let rip and create something really spectacular and unique… This year we have limited edition Mr Leight sunglasses, Mykita’s collaboration with Maison Margiela, and some mind blowing Theo’s! Hurry in for these ones, when they are gone, they are gone!

Sunclips anyone?

Last but not least are clips, the accessory for your accessory and the no-brainer for anyone with a prescription! Bespoke sunclips can transform your eye-wear!

Hopefully this taster guide has given you some ideas. For more inspiration on amazing sunglasses, come and pay a visit to our boutique store on Grey Street, Newcastle!