chicago best optical shop

Welcome to Lab Rabbit Optics:

Declared "Best Eyewear Shop in Chicago" by the Chicago Reader, we’ve become Chicago’s destination for independent eyewear brands, prescription lenses, and radical sunglasses.  Located in beautiful Wicker Park, the cozy optical store features over 400 handmade luxury frames from Reiz, Article One, Lowercase, Yellows Plus, Kaneko Optical, Globe Specs/The BarracksRandolph Engineering, Masahiro Maruyama, Modern Legacy, Factory900…as well as our own Lab Rabbit Originals.  Not familiar with those brands?  There's a reason for that: we focus solely on hard-to-find + emerging brands...we don't stock the sort of stuff you'll see at the average optical shop.  In terms of lenses, we only use top-quality lenses, all of which are cut in-house. NONE of our frames are made in China, nor are they made by faceless, Italian megacorporations.

Not your average optical shop:

John “Coyote” DeGroot holds an Advanced-level Certification from the American Board of Opticianry, and provides fun, professional guidance.  Taking into account your prescription and frame choice, we help choose the lens product that's best for you.  Our approach toward eyewear is artisanal and educated, and we take the time to ensure an optimum balance of good looks, comfort, and clear vision.  Too many optical shops are stiff, dull, stodgy…we do things a little differently.

handmade lenses same day eyeglasses

Plus, enjoy our LAB RABBIT ORIGINALS brand: 

Handmade by the master craftspeople of Fukui, Japan, this collection is the perfect realization of our years of experience in the optical industry.  Crafted from both Japanese and Italian acetates, as well as titanium, they’re lightweight and versatile, with extraordinarily sturdy hinges.  Each model was produced in highly limited edition size...we like rare, exclusive stuff, and want the same for you!  They’re available exclusively at our shop.