Stewart Optical comes ‘back to the future’ after 25 years

By KELLEN TANIGUCHI on May 29, 2021.

ktaniguchi@medicinehatnews.com@@kellentaniguchi

An optical shop from the ’90s made its return to Medicine Hat on April 12 when Jim Stewart re-opened Stewart Optical – this time with his 23-year-old son Tyler.

“I was Stewart Optical from 1991 to about mid ’96 and then I teamed up with someone else and was there for 25 years,” said Jim. “That ended and because my son is with me, we turned back and are now Stewart Optical again after being gone for 25 years. It’s almost like going back to the future if you want to say that.”

Jim says Tyler is the main reason for opening up again. He says his son was going to be his succession plan at the old shop and now he’ll get to be the succession plan at the new store.

“It allows me to continue doing what I love in the optical industry for the next few years and it allows him to continue to grow and get better at the industry that he loves as well and then he’ll be able to take over,” said Jim.

Tyler started working with his father when he was 15 and still going to high school. Tyler was 17 when he graduated, and he’s been working with the public with his dad ever since. Jim says his son will go back to school to finish his education and become a licensed optician.

Tyler is following a similar path as his dad, who also started in the industry when he was 15. Jim worked in an optical lab where he cut lenses to fit frames and then would deliver them. One of his deliveries led to a retail job where he landed his first gig in the business he’s still in today.

Jim says working with his son has been great. He’s got to watch him mature, grow and get better at the optical industry each day.

“As a father it’s so rewarding to see your son do well and grow into something, he’ll be successful at,” he said. “I think we got something really good going here and to be able to help him, watch him grow and develop and it’s rewarding. Any parent will say to watch their kids grow and become successful, there’s no better feeling for a parent than that.”

Stewart Optical is also offering a boutique area where Hatters can shop for high-end frames without having to make the drive to Calgary.

Customers have already been walking through the doors at the store on Dunmore Road and Jim says they’re thankful for the support they’ve been getting from the people in Medicine Hat.

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