A space for art + a store for eyewear
Founded during 2019 by Stephen Lundquist in Utah’s Salt Lake City, Vis. is an optical boutique with a contemporary twist. The store specialises in independent, niche eyewear labels whilst simultaneously showcasing the work of both established and upcoming artists as 801 Salon, via special events every month.
“I grew up revering the arts and always considered artistic expressions as something divine and pure,” Lundquist told Eyestylist. “At the same time, I was too scared to take on something artistic as a profession, as I had only heard about the financial risks. I also didn’t see or have other people in my life taking those artistic chances. When it came time to choose a career, I found myself moving towards medicine: I always excelled at school and thought it would be a logical choice. So, because I’d heard about the healthy work-life balance in optometry, I moved forward with the hope of having time for creative endeavors on the side.
After I went to UC Berkeley, for optometry school, I worked for a few great practices in the Bay Area. It was from my experience in those jobs that I realized in order to be happy, I had to do things differently. I couldn’t work all day in a space or work with products that I didn’t find inspiring. Then I worked on cultivating relationships in the industry and researching product and design which allowed me to bring that creative right-brain approach into work.” After years of research, he opened Vis.
Lundquist grew up in a suburb of Salt Lake City and missed the mountains and a slower life. “My wife and I have a couple young kids and we wanted more time outdoors,” he explains. ” SLC often gets lumped in with the rest of Utah, but it is a counter-cultural oven in a way that Austin is for Texas. It is growing immensely and there are some incredible creators doing unique things here.”
Working with a close friend, the identity of the store itself evolved quite naturally. “My friend is a designer and branding genius. We worked together on the identity of Vis. where he helped me realize that at its core, we are an experience that is informed by this concept of inspiration and exploration” says Lundquist. “Our goal is to allow a space for guests to reinvent or discover new aspects of themselves or the world around them. We wanted a physical space that allows for that.
His wife is a choreographer who was wanting to find a space to showcase local artists and performers which is exactly what I was wanting to host, so we created the 801 Salon (the local area code and our building address are both “801”) which is based on the older concept of an arts salon. With the Salon, we host monthly art events in which we showcase multidisciplinary artists.”
The mix of frames at Vis. is highly curated, focused on “niche and proven independent designers” – currently including VAVA, Lapima, Kuboraum, Jean Philippe Joly and VADA eyewear from Austin Texas. “An odd optical climate in Utah led me to look for designers that can’t be found everywhere else, he explains when we ask about the selection process and criteria considered to stock a brand. “I knew that I wanted to work solely with independent designers from the get-go where quality is paramount and brand names can’t be relied on. From digging deep, I was able to find these niche corners where people are making beautiful product with beautiful stories. I care about design, quality, and stories. When those line up, there are fireworks.” Asked if the customer base crosses over between those who come for the art studio those who come to purchase eyewear, the answer is yes and no. “I don’t know how much business has come from the 801 Salon. There definitely has been some good business but I frankly don’t care too much about that – I want art here for art’s sake. We don’t show product during those Salon events – I don’t want artists to feel like they are acting as an advertisement. But, those people that do come by become aware of what it is that we do, and they’ll be back.” Address: 801 S. 800 E. Salt Lake City, Utah
Co-written by Clodagh Norton + Victoria Brunton – Eyestylist.com