America’s Best is Celebrating 40 Years!
Last month, National Vision, its Associates and affiliated Optometrists kicked-off the 40th anniversary of our largest brand – America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.
With over 600 retail stores across the country and a mission to deliver the best value in quality eye care and eyewear at the low prices America deserves…every day, America’s Best delivers thousands of quality eyeglasses and contact lenses to our customers every day.
How It All Started
Founded by Bill Grody in 1978, America’s Best Contacts sold contact lenses with an eye exam for $39. The brand’s first location was on Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile” on the 15th floor of a North Michigan Avenue office building.
In 1981, glasses were added to the mix with the first eyeglass store opening in Detroit, Michigan. At this time, there were stores in only 13 markets – Chicago, Illinois; Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Phoenix, Arizona; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Detroit, Michigan; Omaha, Nebraska; Tucson, Arizona; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Salt Lake City, Utah; Kansas City, Missouri; and St. Louis, Missouri. This is also when the brand officially became America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.
In 1993, America’s Best was incorporated and sold to private equity firm Berkshire Partners. In 1997, the brand was once again sold, this time to Consolidated Vision Group. In August, 2005, Berkshire Partners once again acquired America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses and National Vision became the parent company to the brand’s 112 stores.
A Lot Has Changed in 40 Years
Today, America’s Best is one of the largest and fastest-growing optical retailers in the country.
Stores carry a wide selection of designer eyeglass frames, contact lenses and eyeglass accessories. Eye exams are provided by a licensed, professional Optometrist (in some states, eye exams are provided by independent Optometrists or Ophthalmologists), and every store is equipped with state-of-the-art optometric equipment to ensure that our customers get the best eye care available.
Celebrating 40 Years
We kicked off our 40th anniversary celebration by rewarding our most loyal customer from every store with a $40 gift card.
Associates and affiliated Optometrists were also encouraged to participate in a week-long celebration consisting of several ‘theme’ days. From solving trivia to decorating a birthday cake, America’s Best Associates came together as a team to celebrate this milestone – one that would not have been possible without these dedicated men and women who truly believe that everyone deserves to see their best to live their best.
Here’s to 40 more!
Jessica Altamirano
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