magical MCCULLEY OPTIX GALLERY

McCulley Optix Gallery is a fun, friendly boutique that offers a wide selection of frames to those looking for the perfect pair of prescription glasses or nonprescription sunglasses. It is a beautiful space with a warm and welcoming décor. It strives to feel like every customer’s best friend’s house, making frame shopping a special experience.

“Anyone can come in and buy glasses,” says Dr. McCulley. “Not all optometrists have a wide frame selection, so we can provide glasses for customers with “outside” prescriptions

(those from other eye doctors). We also have nonprescription sunglasses to help customers find the style that works the best for their individual look and we can adjust them so they fit perfectly.”

McCulley is the owner and sole practitioner of McCulley Optix. She sees patients from the age of 0 to over 100. As their slogan says, “Locally owned and loved for over 12 years.” She was born and raised in Fargo. After college, optometry school, and a few years of practice in Minneapolis, she returned to Fargo to open McCulley Optix. “I realized Fargo was missing a unique, niche optical gallery. I came from a corporate type atmosphere and wanted my practice and the gallery to be different. I wanted it to be a place where customers could find the “perfect” frames,” says McCulley.

The gallery features rotating artwork by local artists of all types, some well-known, some up and coming. Several large pieces hang in the gallery at any given time.

But the gallery’s main focus is on helping customers find fabulous glasses. They carry many fashion labels not found anywhere else in the Fargo area. And here in the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit I found the greatest frames ever. I immediately put them on the top of my Christmas list and informed my husband. I have never felt so enamored of a pair of bifocals. “My” glasses are Lafont, a family-owned company in France that designs gorgeous and unique frames.

The gallery carries many designer label brands including:

Zero G – A frame that is made of titanium, is super lightweight, and perfect for customers with an active lifestyle

Oliver Peoples – The brand that is all the rage with celebrities in Hollywood

Tiffany and Jimmy Choo – Always classic, iconic choices

Tuesday, October 16 from noon to 6:00 p.m., the gallery will be holding a trunk show in partnership with Jimmy Choo and Dior. This will be a chance for customers to try on all the new styles and all the colors these designers make.

McCulley Optix is rolling out a new feature on their website this fall. It is a personal shopping program which allows users to fill out a form about their coloring, face shape, and their preferences in style, color, and shape of frames. They can also upload a picture. The user can schedule a time to visit the gallery and the staff will have an array of preselected choices ready for them.

“We will personally shop for eyeglasses and/or sunglasses,” says McCulley. “We hear all the time that people dread shopping for glasses like they do for swimsuits or jeans. By using our personal shopping experience, we can do the legwork on selecting frames that are a match for their style and visual needs. This makes the process in the gallery easy and fun.”

Office manager Jenna Gilbertson has a remarkable eye for choosing the perfect frames. Again, full disclosure, she helped me find those great Lafont glasses. She has a wonderful sense of style along with her dynamic and helpful personality. No appointment is needed at the gallery. Walk-ins are welcome anytime to browse and try on the new styles.

“This is what we are so good at and what we love to do it,” McCulley says. “We are here to offer choices and our focus is always customer service. We want all our customers to feel special.”

And special, indeed, is McCulley Optix Gallery!

MCCULLEY OPTIX GALLERY IS LOCATED IN FARGO AT 2553 Kirsten Lane. Contact them or schedule an appointment at 701-373-2020 or optixgallery.com.