What is independent eyewear?

Here in the Rivertowns, we love supporting small, local businesses. So, fellow Rivertowners, did you know that the vast majority of brand name eyeglasses are made in bulk by large, multinational corporations? When you buy those glasses, who are you really supporting?

At Eyes on Hudson, we are retailers only for independent eyewear companies. These are essentially small businesses, like the ones you already know and love in your hometown. An independent eyewear brand is most often the passion project of one individual or family. They create their own designs in-house, and work to source their own materials, manufacturers, and distributors outside of corporate channels. The companies typically employ fewer than 50 people, providing a diverse array of jobs in their own communities -- from design to sales to warehousing. The resulting eyewear product is a surprising collection of superlatives: the highest quality, the greatest design, the most innovative, the most fun to wear.

When you buy independent eyewear from Eyes on Hudson, you are supporting a network of small businesses locally and around the world. We have carefully and lovingly selected 9 brands of independent eyewear, and we will be sharing their stories with you in the weeks to come, and ongoingly.