Specstacular Fine Eyewear

I have known the owner of Spectacular since 1986, when his business was in the Eagle Rock Mall. I am shocked at the negative reviews, for Steve has been a model of good humor, helpfulness, and reliability. Having troubling eyesight, I have frequented Lenscrafters in Malls and Kaiser Permanente Optometry Services in Pasadena and Hollywood. There is no comparison. At Spectacular, he wait is shorter, the service less hurried, and the price by far more reasonable for both glasses and frames. Steve's sense of humor is ironic, and can be misunderstood by those not accustomed to irony. But a kinder and attentive optician I have not found. I recently sought some eye wear with a very pricey frame and my new prescription. Kaiser could not fit the new prescription into the frame I desired. Steve said he could. During the consultation, I told him I was soon to have a cataract operation. He promptly cancelled my order, and advised me to first have the operation before buying the new glasses. My optometrist at Kaiser later confirmed Steve's judgment. Had Steve not been honest, I would have paid over $600 for glasses made useless by the surgery. I consider Steve a friend. I have waited in his business, while he very gently dealt with impatient customers, as I sometimes am. I apologize to those offended and writing negative reviews. Maybe, just maybe, Steve had been having a bad day. more

The owner of this store is exceptionally obnoxious. When passing by this small store with a limited and unfashionable collection I popped in and politely asked if they did any repairs. The owner being obviously very important and with few precious moments to spare proceeded to tell me his lawyer had advised him against it due to certain lawsuits in similar cases. He clearly thought he was quite clever and was visibly pleased with himself. I didn't really appreciate the condescension with my wife and children there; their presence saved him from from hearing my opinion of him and his mediocre life's work since I never swear in front of the kids. I will definitely drop by next time I am in the area and let him know what I think of him, hopefully before he and his misfire of a business disappear. I guess that would be fine too though.... more

This is my second time purchasing eye glasses from Spec-Tacular. I am always impressed with the selection of frames to choose from. Steve the owner really gives a lot of attention to detail to his work. You get what you paid for when you go to Sepc-Tacular. Pros: Large selection of frames. more

I went to this store based on the reviews that indicated he is a purveyor of quality eyeglass frames. I usually purchase my frames in europe, and I was looking for the best. I arrived at the store at around 9:30am, and it was closed. There was no sign anywhere indicating store hours. I asked the gentlemen in the neighboring shop if he knew at what time it opens, he said it opens at 10, so I decided to wait. At 10:10 nobody showed up, other than someone that walked by on the way to a coffee shop. It turns out that was the owner, as I discovered another 20 minutes later as he walked back with coffee. I then went inside and asked at what time he usually opens. He responds, smugly, ""at 10"" (it was by then well past 10:30. I then proceeded to explain what I was looking for - which is a pair of minimalistic frames, I gave him a few examples, and I wanted custom ground lenses, possibly of titanium glass if he could provide it (it is usually not sold in us stores because it is thinner than the minimal thickness allowed by certain regulations), or otherwise the highest density polycarbonate. After no more than 10 minute, with nobody else in the store, after having lazily pulled out no more than 3-4 frames from his displays, he proceeded to tell me that he could not help me and that he had better things to do. I was shocked. I guess this gentlemen Steve does not need business if there are enough people that use his store despite his attitude, so I decided to report this in this review. I have never had anything close to this ever happen to me, and judging from other comments it looks like I am not the only one. Pros: none whatsoever Cons: worst service, attitude, unprofessional more

I am not a fan of the LensCrafter type stores for glasses. I have known too many people who have had serious flaws from glasses ordered from LensCrafter type stores. I only have one pair of eyes and I want to protect them as best I can. Both my husband and I have purchased our glasses here and they do really great work. The owner is very precise about making the lenses correct for your eyes. The frames are all designer brands which makes them a little more expensive. However the lenses seem less expensive, perhaps because most are done in-house. (compared to lenses we have both purchased in optometrist offices) On more than one occasion they have offered to try repair some of our old glasses we were wearing for free. I think the owner is just genuinely interested in what he does, making lenses for people. Pros: Lenses are often created in-house more

I am not super-stylish. I don't expect anyone to spot my $600 glasses when I walk in the store. In fact, I'm pretty suburban, and I'm just looking for glasses that make me feel like I'm not a total loser. Pros: Great service, very relaxing environment Cons: I wish I still lived nearby more

I wear/own 6+ pair of eyeglasses: Lunor, Lindberg, Italian Giogrio Armani, Seiko, Robert Marc, Oliver Peoples. I went into Spectacular Fine Eyewear in Pasadena seeking advise about a possible frame repair on a favorite classic frame. When I walked in Steve (owner) asked if he could help me. When I asked if they could assist with repairing a frame or refer me to someone who could, the friendly attitude evaporated. I was told by Steve that he spent all of his hours working at his store and that he did not have time to research who provided repair services upon which he promptly dismissed me as if I had wasted his precious time or had a disease. This is entirely uncalled for and just plain rude. If Steve had spent even a moment to look at his potential customer, he would have noticed that I was wearing a pair of $600 frames without the cost of my coated progressive polycarbonate lenses and most likely could afford to buy anything in his shop. He could have politely said that he was not aware of any local repair services or even convert this into a sales opportunity by offering to show me a new frame in a similar style as a replacement/upgrade. No, he did not. I would NEVER recommend Steve or Spectactular Fine Eyewear to anyone. Their rudeness and arrogance are unacceptable! more

I am a LONG TIME fashion eyeglass wearer that can be quite persnickety when it comes to frames and styles. I have purchased and have had 6 Oliver Peoples prescription (sunglases as well) filled here and can tell you that Specstacular Pasadena are really the best!! Steve the owner KNOWS HIS STUFF!!! His staff, Nancy is great too. They will not recommend a frame that does not look good on you. They understand facial structure and what type of frames would best suit your face. In addition, they are versed on style of frames. If you have a particular style in mind or a ""period"" frame from the 1950's or 1960's, then can guide you. I HIGHLY recommend this place. Always remember: ""You are what you wear."" That should include your glasses. Particularly in LA, most can spot cheap glasses immediately. As far as that other person who previously said ""she wanted to return glasses after 2 months"", that's insane. She should have been thankful that Steve offered to replace them. Check them out. You won't be sorry. more

At first glance, Specstacular seems like just another high end glasses shop in Pasadena. However the products are first class here and the staff is very willing to assist you as you sit and try many different style frames. I have been buying my glasses here for over five years and would not go anywhere else unless they could not get the specific ones I was trying to find. They do not carry all brands but they have everything I have ever needed. Steve, the owner, is very friendly and knowlegeable about the industry. Nancy, a long-time employee, is very curtious and makes very good recommendations on styles that work for different people. They are quite a team. Pros: Atmosphere, products and personalized service Cons: Parking in Old Town Pasadena is an adventure more

I had a bad experience at this place...when I first bought my glasses the gentleman owner was polite and helpful but the female working there was a bit off-putting and not too friendly. When I tried to return the glasses (which were very expensive and probably could have been purchased elsewhere for less) a few months later the owner first said he couldn't exchange them, and then agreed to let me pick another pair out. The female employee then proceeded to ""help"" me find another pair, with the absolute worst attitude I have ever experienced in a store, no exaggeration. So I left with my original glasses and a vow to never give them another cent of my money. more

The friendly owner and staff were great with providing one-on-one customer service. Not the largest selection of frames but really nice stuff, nontheless. I really love the glasses they helped me choose. Parking can be tricky, though. I found that the parking structure at Raymond and Green St. is easiest. I definitely recommend this place and wouldn't go anywhere else. Pros: Friendly customer service, great frames and lenses more