Karen Griffiths Helin was born and raised in the Upper Valley. She graduated from Lebanon High School and Colby-Sawyer College and has worked in local businesses since she was a teenager. That’s one reason why she’s on a first-name basis with so many of the people who come to her optical shop, Eyeglass Outlet, on the mall in Lebanon. Another reason is that she enjoys helping people, and they quickly learn to call her simply Karen. “It’s nice to have a shop where I recognize people who come in,” she says, “and they recognize me and often already appreciate our level of service and cost awareness.”

A Career of Helping People

It’s her own appreciation of people that drew Karen to her career as an optician. Her first jobs out of college were in sales and secretarial positions, but she found them unsatisfying. Then a friend pointed out a help-wanted ad for a beginning optician at a local eye care provider. The chance to work directly with patients intrigued her and she decided to apply. “After the interview, the owner said, ‘I can either hire someone for their experience or for their personality,’” she relates with a smile, “and that’s what he did.”

Dr. Alla Devitskaya

Karen learned the ropes quickly and, after a couple years of gaining experience, was able to move to a more advanced position in the optical shop at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. When the hospital decided to close the shop, she went to work for Eyeglass Outlet, which had moved from West Lebanon to its current position in Lebanon more than 17 years ago.

Something for Every Face and Budget

In just a year, she was able to purchase the shop and has now owned Eyeglass Outlet for over 14 years, maintaining a friendly clientele of regular and occasional patients under the motto, “We promise to do all we can do to help you look good, see well, and pay less.” “It all just fell together,” she says.

Karen, who has needed glasses since childhood, knows just how difficult it can be to find the right combination of lens and frame, and then to get used to them. For example, transitioning from single vision to multifocal lenses (progressives) often takes some getting used to. Karen will work with the new wearer to help them make the adjustment smoothly.

But seeing well and looking good are separate issues, and both can be emotional at times. “You want to feel comfortable in your glasses,” Karen explains. “If you like round frames, for example, you should continue to wear round frames, but if you’re browsing styles to upgrade your look, I’d be happy to help you.” And she is very honest about whether a pair of frames is the right style for you: “I won’t let you leave with them if I don’t think they make you look good.”

Then there is the issue of cost. Karen stocks Eyeglass Outlet with a selection that ranges from very low-cost, flat-rate options to “very boutiquey” frames in a variety of styles for several lens shapes. In partnership with her husband Daniel Helin, an importer/distributor of eyeglass frames, she can even offer her own Karen Daniels line. “There’s something for any face and budget,” she says.

The length of time to get a new pair of glasses depends on the prescription and style of lens and generally ranges from a week to 10 days. Karen has outfitted an eyeglass lab behind the showroom where she does her own edging and fitting of lenses, so people who choose to use their current frame don’t need to be without their glasses for days.

“I’ll just call them when the lenses come in,” she explains. “Because I have my own lab, I can get a pair of single-vision glasses set up in about an hour.” And, no, there is no rush charge.

“It’s exciting for me to watch someone put on a new pair of glasses and see how beautiful or handsome they look. I love to help people feel happy,” she says, smiling again. “And I enjoy the conversations we have. I like to joke that my sign should say ‘The therapist is in’.” y

Eyeglass Outlet

24 Hanover Street (the Mall)

Lebanon, NH

(603) 448-0030