Jerry Blair
Steveston Optical Comes Full Circle Story by Sarah Gordon
Photos by Sandra Steier
Steveston Optical is one of the village’s newest businesses. It was originally located in central Richmond, but last summer owners Jerry and Rosanne Blair moved their shop to Steveston.
connection to Steveston; three years ago they purchased one of Richmond’s oldest farmhouses, which was constructed in 1895 and is located at London Landing.
Jerry’s connection to this community dates back to his great grandfather, William Bridge, who served as the Reeve of Richmond from 1908 to 1917. William Bridge Elementary School in Broadmoor is named in his honour.
The couple originally trained to be teachers but were unable to get work locally and did not wish to move out of town. Rosanne embarked on a career in the airline industry and Jerry entered the optical business.
He recollects his great grandfather Bridge’s farm on No. 2 Road and Steveston Highway. As a child, Jerry grew up on an adjacent property owned by his grandmother Lillian Blair who was William Bridge’s daughter. His great grandfather John Blair also had a home in Steveston in the early 1900s.
Jerry Blair’s name is familiar to many people as he has close to 30 years of experience in the optical business.
“I’ve come home to my roots.” Jerry Blair Rosanne is also a life long Richmond resident; her family has lived here since 1936. Jerry and Rosanne continue to feel a deep historical 26
Wishing to base both their home and business in Steveston, two years ago Jerry and Rosanne purchased the industrial building on First Avenue next door to Waves Coffee House. In July 2019 they opened Steveston Optical in one of its retail spaces.
StevestonInsider.com
December 2019 - January 2020
