Sterling Optical Buffalo

In the 1920s, Sterling Optical was a modest one-store outpost where staff presided over a small array of eyewear. More than nine decades later, the company has expanded to 150 locations, which brim with frames from brands such as Tom Ford, Guess, and Kenneth Cole. Knowledgeable staffers circulate through the showroom, helping customers choose a flattering pair of frames, and newly eagle-eyed patrons show their appreciation by pointing out hard-to-see Kick Me signs stuck all over them. Eye-care professionals remain on hand throughout the day to conduct exams that diagnose ocular issues such as nearsightedness, and many locations have an onsite lab.