Sometimes something comes along which makes doing everything right look so simple that you wonder why it can’t all be like this. Friendly? Yes. Skilled? Of course. Ethical? As a priority. Knowledgeable? Tell them something they don’t know. Add a dash of style and a dollop of quality to a local independent family business serving a vital product and you’ll see clearly why this Bishopthorpe Road opticians are a rising York success story.
Rae & Rae opened on York’s famed community street of independent businesses Bishy Road in December 2020, but this fitting new addition to the area already had decades of experience. Optometry has been in the family blood since the 1930s, when Maurice Whiteley began the trade which his great granddaughter is continuing today. Maurice’s son Graham then ran an opticians for over 30 years, and the passion and expertise have been passed to the next generations through his daughter Tracey and her daughter Georgia, who entered the family industry at 16 and already has a decade of qualifications behind her; this formidable mother and daughter team are the bright eyes behind Rae & Rae.
Their historical background combined with a modern outlook allows Rae & Rae to take the best of the past and create an eyecatching future. Mixing traditional methods and innovative technologies, and with an evergreen ethos of helpful service and affordable prices, Rae & Rae are making professional eyecare a personal experience to look forward to.
As well as providing expert eye tests, the fun begins when choosing from a carefully selected range of impressive eyewear. The truly independent nature of Rae & Rae is echoed in the brands they choose to stock; all independent, no corporates, several eco-conscious and many exclusive to them in York, these are glasses which your conscience can be proud of. From the renewable and sustainable materials of Bird – the UK’s first B Corp certified eyewear brand – to the natural and responsible production of FEB31st, you can be sure that your spectacle of choice is made from the world’s most progressive resources.
And your eyes will be pretty pleased too, as these designers do not compromise on style; fabulous frames are wholly in keeping with Rae & Rae’s timeless aesthetic, with a nod of respect to established classics of yesteryear whilst offering statement trends and fresh new looks. The likes of New York’s MOSCOT, the West Coast’s SALT. and l.a.Eyeworks, Barcelona’s Etnia and London’s Cutler and Gross, each have their own uniquely distinctive character; find the one that matches your individual personality with the help of Rae & Rae’s perfect vision.
