The internet is a wonderful tool for finding information quickly. For example, it only takes a simple search to discover where to buy sunglasses near you. You do not necessarily have to travel to the mall anymore. You don’t have to drive to that eyewear boutique across town. Do a quick search and find every store in your neighborhood that carry sunglasses.
By the way, this is both good and bad. It is good in the sense that consumers have greater access to sunglasses today than ever before. It’s bad in the sense that you don’t always know what you’re getting when you buy from pharmacies, gas stations, and convenience stores.
So, where can you buy sunglasses near you? Consider the many options:
Gas Stations and Convenience Stores
The previously mentioned gas stations and convenience stores make the top of the list due to sheer volume. Nearly every commercial strip has at least one of each. Many have multiple convenience stores and gas stations. Nearly all of those outlets will have a rack of cheap sunglasses for you to look through. You will not find designer shades from Ray-Ban and Oakley, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find something suitable.
Pharmacies
One step up from the gas station and convenience store is the neighborhood pharmacy. Pharmacies tend to carry all sorts of products that people need quickly and conveniently. Sunglasses are among them. A low-end pharmacy might have just one rack. A higher-end pharmacy might have several racks. Still, do not expect to find brand-name sunglasses selling for hundreds of dollars.
Department Stores
By the time you get to department stores, you see prices starting to go up. Companies like Salt Lake City’s Olympic Eyewear produce mid-range brands that are often picked up by department stores. You might even find luxury brands on rare occasions. However, higher-priced sunglasses are generally reserved for the most upscale department stores. Think Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.
Eyewear Boutiques
If you are looking for something more pricey, an eyewear boutique is the place to go. Indoor and strip malls are great locations for such boutiques. So are city centers. You’ll find a good selection of sunglasses in all price ranges, along with more accessories than you can shake a stick at. Also note that boutiques are where you see a heavy concentration on certain brands.
Mall Kiosks
Similar to eyewear boutiques, mall kiosks tend to emphasize high-end designer brands. You could easily spend several hundred dollars on a pair of sunglasses at a kiosk. Strangely enough, kiosks are not fully enclosed stores with locking doors and security systems. They sit out in the middle of the mall corridor, fully exposed to everyone who walks by.
Flea Markets
If you are looking for a totally different experience, consider buying your next pair of sunglasses at a flea market. Just realize that flea market booths almost always sell off-brand merchandise. That is why their prices are so good. If you see what is purported to be a $500 pair of Oakley’s selling for $50, turn around and walk away. You are probably looking at a rip-off product.
Specialty Shops
Finally, you can find sunglasses at all sorts of specialty shops. For example, the surf shop across the street from your local beach will have everything you need for a day on the water – including sunglasses. When you are traveling, you can almost always find sunglasses at gift shops. And then there are those seasonal pop-up shops that seem to emerge every spring.
In short, there are lots of places near you to buy sunglasses. And if all else fails, you can always buy them online.