WARBY PARKER CO-FOUNDER’S BULLISH ON BERKELEY
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Dave Gilboa, Warby Parker co-founder and co-CEO. His New York company recently celebrated the opening of its first eyewear shop in Berkeley, which happens to be where the bespectacled, thirtysomething earned his undergraduate degree in 2003. The sunny Fourth Street spot marks store No. 10 in California and No. 50 in the U.S. for the trailblazing brand that started out seven years ago by upending the eyewear industry with its affordable ($95) direct-toconsumer prescription glasses.
“As a proud Cal alum, I couldn’t be more excited to make a home on Fourth Street,” says Gilboa. “Berkeley’s literary history, inimitable energy, and socially conscious spirit have made it an exciting city for decades.” The store (1911 Fourth St.) features Warby’s full complement of eyeglasses and sunglasses, and invokes its signature library feel with books and mags (McSweeney’s!), leather-topped tables, brass detailing and oak shelving. Before the June 24 opening, Gilboa spoke with Style about the new location and other matters — like which college haunts he still dreams about.
Q: When you decided to open in Berkeley, was Fourth Street a no-brainer?
A: There are so many unique and magical places in Berkeley. But for our first East Bay store, Fourth Street was always our top choice. It’s home to many of our favorite stores — we love how walkable and lively the area is, and it feels like a natural place for us to expand our presence in the Bay Area.
Q: How would you describe the Berkeley space? Does every Warby Parker store have a unique design?
A: We always consider our surroundings when building out a new store, , from smaller details like the flooring and shelverkeley, ing to the artwork inside. In Berkeley designed a space that feels open, sunny and pays homage to the original structure. We kept the beautiful porthole windows and built custom wooden seating for just below, to help emphasize that nautical feel given its proximity to the bay and Berkeley Marina. Also, we worked with friend and friend and longtime collaborator, (Oakland-based) Jason Munn, to create a sunny original mural for the store. We’re always excited about Jason’s work, and particularly so for this one-of-a-kind piece, custom to the Fourth Street space.
Q: Why did you choose the Downing frame as the Berkeley exclusive?
A: The Downing (in striped indigo with flash-mirrored lenses) is one of our favor-
ites, most timeless sun frames — so we thought re-releasing the exclusive style in one of our favorite places in California was only fitting! And as a bonus, if you catch the right reflection in the lenses, the glasses radiate blue and gold. (Go Bears!)
Q: You went to Cal. What are some of your favorite Berkeley spots?
A: The places I spent the most time and money in — and still sometimes wake up dreaming about — are Top Dog and La Burrita. (Back-to-back visits were not unheard of.)
Q: Do you have more California locations planned?
A: We will be opening a number of additional California stores in the coming year but nothing to officially announce just yet.