Warby Parker Eyeglasses Bring BuyOneGiveOne Model to MKE

Yeah, that guy wears 'em.

Warby Parker, an eyeglass company with a bold business model, opens a new Milwaukee store - its first in the area - this Friday.  Located at 315 N Broadway, the store will bring their David vs. Goliath battle against big eyeglass companies (really one company that manufactures for most brands) to Milwaukee, and with it affordable, stylish glasses with a BuyOneGiveOne charitable model - donating a pair of glasses to someone in need for each pair sold.


According to WP "Almost one billion people worldwide lack access to glasses, which means that 15% of the world’s population cannot effectively learn or work." Warby Parker partners with non-profits like VisionSpring distributed a pair of glasses to someone in need for each pair sold. They have already donated over 3 million pairs worldwide.

They are also a green-neutral company, helping protect the environment which falls in line with other company initiatives for a positive culture.

So they are green and charitable, that sounds like an expensive business model - yet they say their glasses are affordable. So, what do they consider affordable? Try $95 for prescription glasses. Yeah, that qualifies.

OK so they are cheap (inexpensive), are they quality and do they look good? Are they stylish? I'd say yes. Exhibit A: They carry a monocle. A freaking MONOCLE! Their styles lean to traditional, and while I am known to rock the funky glasses here and there, its more color or embellishments, frame and glass style I usually stick to traditional - like browline or wayfarer styles. This is the wheelhouse for WP frame styles. You can also get sunglasses.

Warby Parker seems to fall right in line with what GMM considers a model business: environmental and charitable aspects combined with great style at an affordable price - what's not to love? When I need my next pair I will definitely keep them in mind.