Sterling Optical Begins 100th Year Anniversary Celebration At Nanuet Store

Sterling Optical began with one store in New York City in 1913 and now has 130 locations across the United States and beyond. Sterling’s CEO Glenn Spina came to the Nanuet store on Route 59 on Thursday to mark the start of the company’s 100th Year Anniversary celebration.

Spina said Nanuet is the closest of 11 company owned stores to the Manhattan headquarters. The other locations its portfolio are franchises. The 130 stores operate in 13 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and U.S. Virgin Islands. Spina said Sterling Optical has a strong New York presence with 30 stores in the metropolitan area and another 20 upstate.

Spina said the Nanuet store has been in business for 45 to 50 years and has a steady stream of customers numbering between 75 and 100 a week. Over the years, he estimated the store has served 250,000 or more customers.

“It does well for the location,” he said. 

Spina said the company’s objective is for its stores to provide neighborhood optical services with the strength of national backing. Dr. Erica Blehl has worked at the Nanuet store for 18 years. He noted there is lots of competition but said Sterling provides in-depth exams with a wide range of glasses and contacts with most prescriptions available the same day and accepts all insurance plans.

Spina said Sterling does in-depth medical testing and all company stores and franchises will soon have three machines that provide baseline prescription data and check for astigmatism, screen for corneal disease and conduct digital retina imaging.

Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack, Councilmembers Stephanie Hausner and George Hoehmann and Greater Nanuet Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jackie Cassagnol joined Spina for a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

“We just want to thank Sterling Optical for their commitment in continuing to have faith in the Town of Clarkstown,” said Gromack. “Certainly we on the town board want to continue to be your partners to make this store continue to flourish and be an important part of the Hamlet of Nanuet and the Town of Clarkstown and we wish you continued success.” 

Cassagnol said the chamber welcomed Sterling Optical as a member earlier this month.

Sterling is offering special promotions for customers as part of its 100th Anniversary celebration.