01/06/2026
Expert Optical is unique primarily due to its "optician direct" business model, which translates to significantly lower costs and highly personalized service for customers in Kentucky.
"Optician Direct" Model & Cost Savings
The key to its distinctiveness is that owner Stacy U. Beeler, a board-certified licensed optician with nearly 40 years of experience, operates the store as a one-person operation with no other employees.
Eliminated Overhead: By handling all aspects of the business himself—from sales and measurements to in-lab production and dispensing—Mr. Beeler dramatically reduces labor and overhead costs associated with larger, "mega" optical stores.
Guaranteed Lowest Price: This model allows Expert Optical to offer name-brand eyeglasses at an average of 65% less cost than competitors on identical pairs, a price guarantee that has reportedly never been beaten in Kentucky since the store's establishment in 2005.
Personalized Expertise and Service
Unlike large chains where customers may interact with multiple different employees, Expert Optical provides a consistent, one-on-one experience with a single, highly experienced professional.
Single Point of Contact: Customers work directly with Mr. Beeler from start to finish, ensuring consistency and accuracy in all measurements and fittings.
Guild Optician Standards: He operates as a "Guild Optician," a designation for opticians who pledge to use only the finest quality materials, most accurate measurements, and highest skilled craftsmanship.
Focus on Quality over Speed: The store emphasizes precision and comfort over the "rush 'em in, get 'em out" approach of mega-stores, ensuring each patient gets a tailored experience.
Additional Unique Offerings
Extensive Frame Selection: Despite being a small operation, Expert Optical carries a large inventory of over 1,500 name-brand and designer frames.
On-the-Spot Repairs: All types of eyeglass repairs are performed in-house, often while the customer waits, and typically at a very low cost.
Specialized Safety Glasses: They offer the area's largest selection of OSHA-approved prescription safety glasses.
