Eyeglasses are an everyday fashion statement that can make a bold first impression. One Detroit optician has a hands-on approach to help her customers find just the right pair to optimize their vision and reflect their personal style.
Spectacle Society Owner Tina Arroyo’s own hexagonal glasses in deep cobalt blue symbolize her unique vision for eyewear.
“My focus is on helping people tap into who they are authentically, celebrate that uniqueness, and express it using their eyewear,” she says.
A SPECTACULAR STORY
Arroyo became fascinated with optics 20 years ago while studying photography at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.
“Understanding how cameras are built to mimic the sight of the human eye was really incredible,” she says. “I worked three jobs to put myself through college and one of them ended up being for an ophthalmologist.”
Arroyo discovered that opticianry blended her fascination with the inner workings of the human eye, her love of working with people, and her flair for fashion.
“ I realized that eyewear is transformative and I could help people feel really amazing about themselves,” she says.
THE ROYAL TREATMENT
Fast forward to December 2020, Arroyo had moved to Detroit, and realized a decade-long dream by opening Spectacle Society in the city’s trendy Corktown neighborhood.
In the window of her eyewear boutique, candy-colored frames in all shapes and sizes reflect the diversity of the customers Arroyo serves.
As one of only 11 opticians in Detroit fully certified by the American Board of Opticianry, Arroyo’s shop is unique not only because of the brands she carries but also because of her customer service approach.
“People get a one-on-one experience with me. When they come to “Receive the Royal Treatment” I create a space for clients to embrace their individuality, and go through a process that helps them to use eyewear as a form of self-expression,” she says. “We spend an hour together discussing their personal aesthetic, their visual needs, their lifestyle, and getting to know each other. I even let them pick the music and set the vibe. I want them to have an experience that feels comfortable, fun, and relaxing.”
A CURATED COLLECTION
When choosing frames, Arroyo considers factors like the shape of a person’s face, their complexion, their lifestyle, and the image they wish to project. Then, she narrows down a tray of carefully curated options with form and function in mind that showcases their sense of self (or soul).
Her selections may include white gold RetroSpecs from the 1920s adorned with hand-etched filigree. She may suggest hand-carved Francis Klein cat-eyes custom-made with Swarovski stonework. Or, she might recommend Tarian, a French designer who works with colored acetate in unique shapes, producing only 500 pairs of any given frame.
She’s one of only two stores in Michigan that carries Nine Eyewear, made from beta titanium to be lightweight, flexible and durable.
“Visiting Spectacle Society has changed my whole perspective of what it means to wear glasses,” said client Ali P. “Who would have thought that I’d leave my exploratory consultation with a list of possibilities for my future glasses wardrobe?”
Arroyo’s focus is on independent eyewear with design, craftsmanship and quality that you can’t find elsewhere.
“I do nothing that’s big box-made or mass-produced. That’s really important to me,” Arroyo says. “I’m a small business who aims to support other small businesses as much as I can.”
COMMUNITY FOCUSED
Arroyo prides herself on not only the diversity of her eyewear, but the accessibility of her shop. She wants everyone regardless of size, skin tone, gender representation, age or ability to feel welcome and at home.
She looks to build long-term relationships with her clients, inviting them back in on a regular basis to have their glasses adjusted, their lenses updated, and add new frames to their eyeglass wardrobe over time.
It’s a prescription that’s working, as evidenced by the clients who keep coming back.
“Tina took the time to learn about me — my hobbies, work, lifestyle, pain points about my precious glasses — to assess my needs and fit me with glasses that are not only strikingly beautiful but easy to wear and suit my every need,” says one of many rave online reviews.
Arroyo also has a commitment to giving back. She founded SPEC Collection to collect gently used eyeglass frames for Eye Care for Detroit, an initiative that focuses on serving the homebound seniors of Detroit. Together they were able to provide 1,000 free frames and lenses to Detroit community elders in 2024.
“Being rooted in a community is super important to me and I built this business with a give-back component since the day we opened,” she says.
Spectacle Society is located at 1512 Bagley St., Suite E, Detroit. Call (313) 774-8830 or visit spectaclesocietydetroit.com.
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