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COVID-19 shutdown allows Richmond optometrist to sharpen focus on customer care

While the COVID-19 virus forced Eye Station Optical to close for two months, the business at Blundell Centre used that time to re-emerge better-equipped and prepared to serve the needs of its customers.
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The 2,800-square-foot store has been a fixture in Blundell Centre for 25 years.

While the COVID-19 virus forced Eye Station Optical to close for two months, the business at Blundell Centre used that time to re-emerge better-equipped and prepared to serve the needs of its customers.

The 2,800-square-foot store has been a fixture in the mall for 25 years. Since re-opening in mid-May, it has been revamped to offer plenty of social distancing space for customers to feel comfortable when they enter and browse the freshly renovated display of eyewear that was extensively updated during the shutdown.

“The emergence of COVID-19 has been difficult on everyone, but we have been able to get through what was likely the worst part and have the business get back on track to serve our customers even better than before,” says Dr. Eddie Houng. “Plus, all of our staff and eye doctors are back on a normal schedule.”

Part of the changes now includes a new protocol that requires customers to schedule their appointment.

“With the inclusion of scheduled appointments we can better serve our customers with the specific help they require,” Houng says, adding the store’s re-arranged floor plan also helps maintain more than adequate social distancing requirements.

“We have five different areas inside the store that are spread out so customers can feel comfortable and confident that good and effective social distancing practices can be kept,” Houng says. “And just like other businesses employing COVID-19 protocols, we are sanitizing our store all the time and have our staff and customers wear masks.”

Despite the two-month closure to customers, Eye Station Optical has also managed to efficiently deal with a backlog of customers.

“That’s because we have three eye doctors in our practice and seven staff in the front of the store to meet customers’ needs,” Houng says.

Helping out has been the work to refresh the store’s inventory of eyewear.

“Basically, we had a lot of inventory stocked away in drawers that we can now display properly,” Houng says. “Plus, we increased the inventory to offer even more selection, so our customers can find what suits them best.”

For more information about Eye Station Optical or to schedule an appointment, visit their website at eyestation.ca or call 604-271-2088.