MORGANTOWN — The Eye Shop, located inside the WVU Eye Institute beside J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, has been co-owned by life-long friends Barbara Hess-Tulanowski and Dawn Berardi since November 2018.
“We have been working together since we were 20 years old, so for about 30 years now,” said Hess-Tulanowski.
The Eye Shop, originally known as Sigley Opticians before Hess-Tulanowski and Berardi bought the place, has faced many challenges that come with taking over any well-established business. This includes matching high expectations set by the previous owner.
Hess-Tulanowski and Ber-ardi believe they provide equally exceptional service to their clientele.
“He was a great optician, but we think we are just as good,” Hess-Tulanowski said.
The Eye Shop provides full service optical service, which includes a variety of women’s, men’s and children’s frames. They have an array of lenses, including single-vision, bifocals, trifocals and prism lenses, starting at $39.95.
They also carry several brands of frames, including Nike, Nine West, Dilli Dalli, Ellen Tracy, BULOVA, Orvis, Tura, BCBG, Calvin Klein, Autoflex, LAMB, Gwen Stefanie and Tatanium.
Living close to a university, Hess-Tulanowski and Berardi have seen it all when it comes to prescriptions. They do their best to meet the needs of anyone who comes into their shop.
Berardi also owns two other locations, including one at the Morgantown Mall and another in Bridgeport. The location near WVU is where they take on the greatest diversity in prescriptions.
“We have a lot of challenges here at the university because people come from all over the state and other states to get their eyes examined. So, after 30 years, there have been some challenging prescriptions here,” said Hess-Tulanowski. She said they offer state-of-the-art digital lenses to give their customers the best vision possible.
The shop accepts all prescriptions, including those from the WVU Eye Institute or from outside optom-etrists and opthamologists. For most prescriptions, they offer next-day or second-day service.
The Eye Shop accepts multiple insurance plans, including Davis, Superior Vision, WV Medicaid, CHIP, American Benefits, which is offered by the Board of Education, Avesis, Benefit Assistance, Local Lions Club Vouchers, WV Pre-Employment, UMWA, WV Local Health & Welfare, and United Food & Commercial Workers.
Veterans, as well as students, faculty and health system employees at WVU, have added benefits, such as 20 percent off all eyewear. All glasses are buy one get the second pair half off.
The shop strives to be accessible and convenient for all by providing services, such as shipment to homes for a $10 fee and valet parking for on-site pick up.
The Eye Shop is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information, they can be contacted at 304-598-4888.
