Meet Chris Siliquini of Ultimo Eyewear
by Linda Herman

Imagine walking into a light-filled room with comfortable seating, and a TV showing a winning Phillies game, hopefully. This is a room that’s casually chic and inviting…. and it’s surrounded by over 900 pair of the most stylish of eyeglass frames. For me, this is heaven. The only thing better would be if there were a couple dozen pair of shoes thrown into the mix!! This sun-washed space is Chris Siliquini’s Ultimo Eyewear.

In what has become a very quaint shopping district in Lower Moreland, Ultimo Eyewear distinquishes itself as a go-to optical shop for fashion forward eyewear. It definitely is not your “mother’s” eyeglass store. “I always liked retail. I come from a family of professional 'eye' people. My father and brother are ophthalmologists. I preferred the retail side of the industry from the git-go. And, having spent time working in some of the big box optical stores I realized early on that wasn’t the kind of shopping experience I wanted to provide. I always preferred something more intimate, something more individualized in its approach to patient care. And so, when the time came, I decided to enter the waters with my vision of of what an optical shop could be.”
I had to ask almost immediately how this “home grown kid” ended back in his home grown territory. “I never saw it coming!

Originally I considered Chestnut Hill as a potentially good location. Along the way I came across this spot on Huntington Pike, not more than a mile from where I grew up. I knew almost at first sight that this was the perfect location for a boutique-style optical shop. And I love being surrounded by so many unique concerns. There’s an energy that’s growing on this strip that has yet to reach its fullest capacity. It’s really neat and I'm excited to be apart of it.”

I have to admit I’m no stranger to “optical.” I've been away from it professionally for some time now but I still get a thrill examining eyeglass frames, their fabrication, colors and styling. I wanted to try on every frame and see how it looked when we started to talk about Chris’ approach to optical and the clients he serves. “I enjoy working with my patients one-on-one. This is a boutique practice providing boutique care. From your eye exam to your eyeglass frame fitting, lens selection or contact lense fitting, Ultimo Eyewear can do it all. Clients can enjoy boutique treatment and still get an expert eye exam from our on-site Optometrist, Dr. Timothy Kim. Afterward they can choose from our large frame collection and find that just right frame best suited for their face.”

And how do you do that? There are so many frames to choose from now. And so many trends. According to Chris, “I always suggest a client pick a frame that looks best on their face. I also ask that they feel good in the frame. Fashion, hype or what the style magazines say is ‘hot’ should not be the guide to selecting a frame. Rectangular frames are popular now, but that might not be the right shape for your face.”

We talked about the “retro” styling that seems to be making a mark. “Yeh, there’s definitely some interest in a retro look. We don’t see much of that around here. In the city, yes. It takes a little longer for some trends to take hold in the ‘burbs.’ Of course if someone walks in and wants a more ‘edgy’ frame they can choose from a number of designers like Tom Ford, Dior, Lindberg, DITA, Juicy, Giorgio Armani, etc. and find a frame a little less conservative. We’ve got a full array of 3-piece mountings… currently very popular. And naturally, we always try to educate our patients about the wonderful lenses available today. No child leaves us without anything other than a polycarbonate lens. We insist on keeping their eyes safe and vision clear and healthy. Interestingly, kids seem to want a frame that's more “funky,” more colorful, etc. than the adults. Again, we have just the frame to satisfy that request.”

Chris likes being his own boss. He likes being able to make his own schedule, within limits, which in turn, affords him the opportunity to spend time with his young family. He’s married to Kara, another Huntingdon Valley native, and together they have two children; Logan, 31⁄2 years old, and Lana, 18 months. I reminded him how he’ll appreciate makng his own hours when he starts going to soccer games, dance recitals, et al! “My free time is spent with my family. We enjoy the shore, boating, a little fishing and when time allows, I enjoy flying.”

Mild mannered, he occasionally lets a smile peek through. But his gentle way is a perfect compliment to the environment he has created at Ultimo Eyewear. I wanted to find out if he would recommend the road he traveled with his optical boutique. “You’ve got to be prepared financially. And you’ve got to possess a load of patience. A business doesn’t get to where you want it to go, overnight. It takes time, it takes years. That’s the ‘stuff’ that brings success regardless the endeavor.”

I like Chris. He’s created a breath of fresh air with his boutique-style optical shop. He says he hopes his place will become one “where everyone knows your name.” Sound familiar? I think it will happen. I think if you go visit Chris Siliquini at Ultimo Eyewear he will know your name, and he won’t forget it. He’ll invite you in, offer you a seat and maybe, if the Phillies (or Eagles) are playing, he’ll just sit down and invite you to watch the game with him. And if you have trouble seeing the game? Well, he’ll have just the remedy. A good refraction, a pair of perfectly fitting stylish frames, and high-index lenses with AR coating, naturally! He'll make sure you're ready for the next game, whomever you're cheering!

Ultimo Eyewear
2540 Huntingdon
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
215.947.3331