We are very proud to announce that we have partnered with Baker Optical, a true institution in the field of eyecare in the Edmonton area.
Baker Optical opened its door in August of 1969 and was acquired by Anthony and Nan Harychan in 2000. At the time of the acquisition, Baker Optical was only a dispensary, within the first few years of ownership Anthony and Nan added optometrists to the practice, in order to better serve their patients. Most recently, they have been joined by Dr. Malik Rahall, who has been a great addition to the team and well received by patients. Baker Optical was the first optical to venture out into the European market bringing luxury eyewear to the city of Edmonton. They were the first to hold exclusive rights to brands such as Lindberg, Alain Milki, Sospiri, Ic Berlin and many others. This past year they celebrated their 50th anniversary, an incredible milestone that was acknowledged by the City of Edmonton for their long-standing commitment to the city.
The team at Baker Optical are dedicated to their patients. Their knowledge and many years of experience in the industry have allowed their colleges to entrust in them to handle difficult and complex prescriptions. Over the years they have achieved many recognitions including receiving the Consumers’ Choice award for exceptional customer service in the Optical field for the past six years.
The choice to partner with IRIS was an easy one. They were looking for a strategic partner that would help them grow into the future. The IRIS values are the same as Baker Optical, both companies are based on integrity and service.
When asked about the transition into the IRIS family, the Baker Optical management team said they would ideally want their patients to feel like it’s business as usual. Customers will continue to see familiar faces, products and continue to receive the same quality service they are accustomed to. The addition of pre-testing equipment such as the Retinal camera, visual field-test and Optikam will be a great new addition to the practice and will help them to better serve their patients. Through this partnership, customers can also expect to see an expansion of more frame collections.
Baker Optical places a high priority on being involved in its community, locally and internationally. Anthony has been a member with the Edmonton Host Lions Club since 1990 and Canadian Vision Care since 1995. For the past 25 years, Anthony has been involved in projects, similar to our IRIS Mundial missions, travelling to Third World countries to provide free eye exams and glasses to those less fortunate. Locally, Nan has served many lunches to those in need, volunteered at Homeless Connect, her church and seniors’ home. Throughout the years there have been occasions when it was necessary to ‘step up’ during times of crisis. Baker Optical provided complimentary eyewear to the victims of the Fort McMurray fire, allocated a percentage of their sales to the tsunami destruction and sponsored meals to the homeless in an effort to help others within and beyond their community.
Their clients are a mix of individuals who are public figures, business professionals, or those who require special assistance. No matter their walk-in life, they are all treated with respect and dignity when they come through the doors of Baker Optical. As per Anthony and Nan “our customers are our extended families, we laugh and cry together as we share successes and life’s journeys. We only have one pair of eyes in our lifetime therefore, it is our goal to provide our customers with exceptional eye care. We are a proud local Edmonton small business and look forward to what the future holds for Baker Optical and IRIS.”
