Longtime area optician opening new store

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- One longtime optician in the area is setting out on a new adventure after the last door closed.

Dana Ekstrum has been serving the community for some time in the eyewear business. Now she is set to open Civic Eyewear, a storefront that offers multiple ways for area residents to continue accessing unique, one-of-a-kind frames.

Ekstrum will offer vintage frames to customers and will also be able to fill prescriptions for lenses from optometrists, provide fittings, cleanings, and more.

What she really looks forward to in running this new service is being able to make getting classes a stress-free experience.

"I think for a lot of people, it's fascinating to me how, you know, glasses are something very common that many of us wear on a daily basis," Ekstrum shared. "There is a certain amount, or there can be a certain amount of intimidation or, you know, this isn't functioning properly. Now I have to, like, go through all these steps to just get service."

Over time, Ekstrum also plans to offer appointment-based home visits for fittings and more. She also plans to make appearances at pop-up events and more to expand availability for customers.

Civic Eyewear plans to open its storefront in June at 126 North 8th Street in St. Joseph. For more information, click here.