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< Their operation provides onehour service on site for most preTHE INTELLIGENCER scriptions for regular lenses and contact lenses, including tint and Downtown Belleville has its ultra-violet protection and carries first optician in several years. some unique brand names in He is Allen Kechichian, who frames and lenses. has opened Essenzia Eyewear at "We have approximately 1,500 224 Front St. that formerly different styles of designer housed the Royal Trust on the frames, including such new lines main floor and Lulu's/Dag- as Mexx, Vanni, Dolce Gabbana wood'sn on the top floor. and Modo and lenses such as Kechichian, a licensed optician, Nikon and Essilor," he said. "We and his wife, Stacey, are leasing believe in quality and we will only 3,500 square feet of space on the carry current models." main floor to operate their optical Kechichian has 14 years expestore. rience in the eyewear industry. He "We want to create a boutique started as a lab technician and ambiance and bring to Belleville then optician and has also opened some unique products and we and operated multiple chain chose downtown because we want stores and served as district manto contribute to the revitalization ager. of this area and promote 'The VilHe came to Belleville in 1999 to lage' and keep the spirit going," he open and manage the Laurier said. Optical chain store at the Quinte The couple couldn't be happier Mall. with their premises now that they "My wife and I, who also have completed all the necessary worked at the store, have served renovations to the ground floor thousands of clients over those of the building that has sat vacant years and we have now decided to for several years. open our our independent opera"The building is filled with win- tion so that we can continue to dows and this brings in a lot of offer quality service that people sunlight which is a great advan- have come to expect," he said. tage to show the different lenses The couple has two children and colours in a natural light. You and they plan to be downtown for get what you see because of the many years. natural light," he said. "Hopefully, the seed we plant The 3 2-year-old Kechichian today, we will harvest for many said he's pleased to be the only years to come and we hope to optician downtown "and we look pass on the business tradition to forward to providing this much- our two children," said Kechichineeded service." an. By Henry Bury InVt,H, NOV. ills') I