ABOUT SPECTACLE
I wanted to offer Toronto a unique store that displays relevant eyewear brands in an environment that respects their quality craftsmanship, fashion sense, detail and design.
JAG DHILLON
Spectacle was created on the following vision: to showcase the most influential eyewear and sunwear brands from around the world. Our philosophy is to provide the best quality products coupled with unparalleled customer service, and to do this all within an engaging shopping experience.
Our expanding network of stores carries a veritable who's who of eyewear and sunwear brands. We carefully curate a collection of uniquely designed and finely crafted products from brands that specialize in eyewear. We also pride ourselves on being a platform for launching new collections and introducing new and emerging designers into Canada.
We travel the globe searching to expose our clients to relevant brands that share a passion for eyewear. This relentless process yields a selection of fashion forward, leading edge, quality products, that is as diverse as the clientèle that we serve.
2004
The flagship Spectacle store opened on Queen West, quickly gaining a loyal customer base due to its unique approach to fashion eyewear and retail excellence.
2006
The original Fairlawn Optical store was rebranded under the Spectacle banner, creating a cohesive brand presence.
2007
Spectacle expanded eastward into Toronto’s Historic Distillery District, an ideal location due to its unique retail concepts. The Distillery location later moved to a larger corner to accommodate growth.
TODAY
Spectacle is recognized as a premier destination for eyewear aficionados and a standard of optical retail excellence in Canada.
2000
After lengthy renovations the Lawrence Park store opens, attracting both local and city-wide clientele. Toronto-native Corey Haim was the first celebrity who became a regular.
1999
Jag Dhillon acquired Fairlawn Optical on Yonge Street, establishing Spectacle’s roots.
Known for our distinctive selection and unparalleled service, Spectacle is a numerous time winner of Now Magazine's and Eye Weekly's prestigious "Best of Toronto" awards and is frequently featured in Toronto Life's Shopping Guide. Spectacle is also proudly recognized as a resource for designers and stylists where Spectacle’s products can be found on runways and in the latest seasonal look books.
Founder, Jag Dhillon, created the concept behind Spectacle over 15 years ago. His strong desire to open a store where fashion and optical function were not individually exclusive, but rather entwined became the brainchild behind Spectacle. He envisioned an open, friendly concept where clients were free to enjoy the eyewear shopping experience.
Finding an ideal location for the flagship store was especially important to reach the conscientious consumer that was willing to take risks and set trends in fashion eyewear. The boutique-oriented Queen West neighborhood was just becoming known as an area for boutiques with originality. This is where Spectacle found its flagship home.
Today, Spectacle operates out of three locations. Lawrence Park, The Distillery District, West Queen West, and has outfitted the likes of Taboo, Pharrell Williams, Courtney Cox, Rick Ross, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel McAdams and Scott Speedman, to name a few. Spectacle is also a recognized resource for local, national. and international publications.
Drop by your nearest Spectacle location to experience what eyewear shopping should really be about!
"With three locations, this award winning eyewear and sunglass boutique will definitely satisfy your thirst for gorgeous glasses"
– FASHION MAGAZINE
Spectacle Q&A
WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT SPECTACLE?
A visit to Spectacle is a refreshing, personalized experience. Our warm, stylish stores showcase glowing displays of exclusive designer frames, boutique collections, and vintage styles. With a highly trained, friendly team, we take a thoughtful approach to frame selection—carefully matching each client’s visual needs and personality. Our in-house quality control facility allows us to custom-fit lenses on-site, ensuring your eyewear never leaves our care. Unlike other retailers, only our skilled professionals handle your frames from start to finish, delivering unmatched precision and service.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE INVEST IN EYEWEAR?
Eyewear is the most important accessory in your wardrobe—it's the first thing people notice. So why own multiple shoes or watches but only one pair of glasses? Glasses are both a medical necessity and a style statement. The right pair can contour your face, reflect your personality, and elevate your entire look. A great frame blends function and fashion, adding depth, attitude, and individuality to your image.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE SHOP AT SPECTACLE?
Our Products
Spectacle offers a curated collection of uniquely designed, hand-crafted eyewear from designers who specialize in exceptional frames. Each piece is chosen for its originality, quality, and craftsmanship—ranging from timeless classics to bold, boutique styles in materials like acetate and precious metals. Our experienced team works closely with designers and is here to help you find a frame that fits your vision, lifestyle, and personality.
Our Client Care & Services
Spectacle is committed to personalized care, offering expert guidance through every step of your eyewear journey. Our knowledgeable staff provides one-on-one consultations to match you with frames and lenses that suit your style and optical needs—including specialty eyewear like sports, sunglasses, progressives, and computer glasses. We offer in-store tune-ups, repairs, and adjustments, plus national and international shipping. With an in-house quality control lab, we also provide custom lens fitting, frame refurbishing, and specialized finishes. For those who prefer contacts, fittings are available, and eye exams can be booked with our affiliated optometrists. Check yearly, see clearly.
Our Quality Control Production Facility
Spectacle’s on-site lab, located at our Queen St. West flagship, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure every pair of glasses exceeds industry standards. Led by a veteran technician with over 20 years of experience, our lab delivers precision, speed, and exceptional quality. This central location allows us to complete more orders quickly—ensuring you receive the best service and craftsmanship, every time.
"In order to deliver the results that I am satisfied with, we needed to control the process from start to finish. Having our own lab means that we have the control to custom fit lenses for our clients and unlike other optical stores your frames will never leave our premises. This ensures that only the best and highly trained individuals handle your eyewear and sunwear needs.
Everybody's eyes are different, and being a small, independent business means we have the ability to provide our clients with a multitude of different products from a variety of manufacturers. This allows us to combine the best lenses for vision correction with the coatings and treatments that are right for our clients. We treat our clientele with a personalized service and we provide lenses that are also personalized for their needs."
– JAG DHILLON, RO
DIRECTOR & FOUNDER
Our Charity Work and Spectacle’s Recycle Program
Being an active member of society, Spectacle prides itself on giving back through our year-round recycle program. Drop off your used or unused eyewear at any of our locations and your donation will go towards providing free vision care and eyewear to underprivileged individuals. Spectacle also prides itself on giving back to schools. In order to increase teaching aids we donate to local schools and participate with a variety of charity fundraisers year-round.
STORE LOCATIONS
QUEEN STREET WEST
752 Queen Street West Toronto, Ontario
416 603 0123
LAWRENCE PARK
3342 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario
416 484 9000
DISTILLERY DISTRICT
18 Rack House Mews Toronto, Ontario
416 363 5300