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Cutting Edge Optical opens

By ZOË WATKINS - zwatkins@t-g.com
Posted 2/25/23

Nick Ellis said he’s been an optician for about 20 years, while Sandy Lupo has been one for 14 years. Both Ellis and Lupo worked at the Walmart Eye Center in Shelbyville …

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Cutting Edge Optical opens

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Nick Ellis said he’s been an optician for about 20 years, while Sandy Lupo has been one for 14 years. Both Ellis and Lupo worked at the Walmart Eye Center in Shelbyville together.  

Realizing they work well together, they wanted to branch off and start their own eyewear center in Shelbyville. But more importantly, they realized there was a need for an eyewear center here.  

Ellis explained, “In doing research for this, cities of a similar size to Shelbyville in Tennessee tend to have like nine eye doctors. But we only have three. So, it’s kind of underserved. A lot of people go to Murfreesboro because there’s nothing they can get here.” Plus, you then have to drive back up to Murfreesboro to pick up your glasses. 

Which is why Lupo said they came up with same-day service at Cutting Edge Optical. Most prescriptions can be done in one day.  

With their fully equipped on-site lab, it typically takes 45 minutes to make a pair of glasses. 

They have a little bit of something for everybody with frames as low as $19 and lenses as low as $70 for adults. To name a few options, they offer polarized sunglasses, regular bifocals, anti-glares, blue-light blocking in addition to doing repairs on glasses. 

“So, whatever you need we will try to help. If we can’t help we’ll refer you,” said Lupo. 

Comfort a must

Most importantly, you want to find a frame that’s comfortable — something they can help you with to make sure the eyes are in the center of the frame and that they are the right weight for your face.  

Having a good pair of sunglasses, too, is incredibly important as it works similar to sunblock, according to Ellis. He also encourages people to get eye exams every couple of years or even every year regardless if your vision has changed or not.  

But Cutting Edge Optical also offer more than just glasses and contact lenses. Since opticians are more like the pharmacists of the industry, they also have a tele-optometry process for eye exams. This makes them the first opticians in Tennessee to use this virtual system, according to Lupo. 

“Trying to find a doctor to work is difficult in a rural area. So, we have partnered with 2020Now, which is an ophthalmologist-run company who have optometrists working for them,” said Lupo. This tele-optometry is a growing field, with some 650 locations utilizing this, according to Lupo. This helps ensure you have the perfect prescription for your eyes. 

“I really enjoy it. I just feel like Shelbyville was underserved and so we’re just a family, middle-of-the road business here to help people,” Lupo said. “We want people to come in here and feel like they can afford a good pair of glasses.”

They will be having a Grand Opening sale starting March 1 and lasting through March 31. In celebration of partnering with 2020now for the month of March, customers can get $20 off any eye exam and/or 20% off any pair of glasses.  A ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce will also be held on March 2 at noon.