Shopping in Forest Hills

Since Dr. Stanley Pearle opened the doors to the first Pearle Vision in 1961, the franchise has expanded to more than 800 stores nationwide. In these stores, optometrists assess the ocular health of patients before onsite opticians help them navigate the assortment of frames from brands such as Versace, Ray-Ban, and DKNY. If they're not in the store, clients can utilize the Try-On tool, uploading a photo to see what they or their dog looks like in different types of glasses. Pearle Vision also helps focus the world with contacts from Acuvue and Biofinity.

The team at Grandville Optical do more than care for eyes—they also care about their community. When owner and certified optician John Schlafley and optometrist Chad Jackson aren’t examining eyes or crafting glasses, they are organizing food drives and serving in local organizations. That same warm spirit fills their optical boutique, where they tend to clients in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. They display their carefully curated selection of designer frames—which includes names such as Marc Jacobs, Kliik, and Europa International—in elegantly spotlighted cases that stand against exposed brick walls.

While the office sports the cozy feel of a traditional coffeehouse, Schlafley and Dr. Jackson stock the environs with decidedly modern technology. They advise patrons of the latest advancements in lens manufacturing and treatments, and perform exams to diagnose potential issues and keep eyes healthy. Schlafley is also trained in a specialized soldering technique that allows him to expertly repair metal frames crushed by excessive squinting.

At Mark's Mattress Direct, friendly sales folk guide shoppers through no-pressure perusals of the show room's bounty, confident that the store's commitment to same-day delivery and factory-direct, cost-saving techniques speak for themselves. With an arsenal of bedding from trusted brands such as Corsicana and Englander, the inventory caters to the needs of every customer, from the entry-level Burnaby innerspring mattress for the casual napper, to the luxurious Bella pillow top for the more experienced marathon sleeper. Pallets of gel memory foam conform to tired bodies, giving them renewed strength and well-being each morning, while Michigan-made Clare mattresses deliver restful nights of sleep while contributing to the regional economy.

Sight Optical Boutique's owner, Michael McConnell, isn't just selling frames—he's introducing friends. His previous optical experience in sales and distribution departments helped him to build relationships with top-notch eyewear companies from around the world. When it came time to open his own retail space, their collections became his shop's foundation.

Inside the sleek, modern space, handmade frames from Germany, Istanbul, and Japan hover on circular clusters against the wall, echoed in shape by fanciful light fixtures. Boasting fashionable lines such as Lafont and Masunaga, the spectacles come loaded with signature details such as hand-engraving, custom hardware, and celebrity-cloaking software.

Ever since the 1970s, when riders began taking to motocross dirt tracks with their bicycles, the specialists at Freewheeler Bike Shop have helped to fuel their passion. Their 30+ years of specialized service have earned the shop the title of Best Longstanding Business by Rapid Growth Media. In addition to building and servicing BMX bikes, the shop carries cycles and parts for various riding styles. Cruisers, mountain bikes, children's bikes, road bikes, and tandem cycles can be found throughout the shop, along with parts and accessories to keep riders safe. Their inventory includes lights, helmets, gloves, and cycle computers that keep track of speed, distance, and the bike's IQ.

When it relocated in 2011 to Grand Rapids from Grand Haven, its home of more than 25 years, Gallery of Frames brought with it a huge selection of conservation materials. Its team of framers encloses artworks and heirlooms with custom-cut combinations of moulding, mat, and glass. Examples of these skillfully designed frames can be found surrounding pictures of athletes at local Brann's locations, or actual athletes if they’ll just sit still for a minute.