There鈥檚 nothing shortsighted about Pete Heinrich鈥檚 vision for Precision Optical on Pemberton Avenue downtown.聽
As the store鈥檚 new owner, Heinrich 鈥� with 35 years experience as an optician 鈥� took the reins from his former employer Tom Huggins, who opened the shop in 1979. The experience of building and continuing long-standing relationships with customers in 麻豆社国产is what held the most interest for him.
鈥淭his is the longest that I鈥檝e been in one spot and I love it,鈥� said the Maple Ridge native who made the purchase in October. 鈥淐ustomers repeatedly come back every couple of years for new glasses and more frequently for adjustments, and I love that 鈥� they鈥檝e become friends to me.鈥�
In the time I visit the shop, Heinrich greets every customer that walks through the door by name, instantly connecting and anticipating their needs, whether it鈥檚 a new order scheduled to arrive, a tweak to an older pair of frames, or picking up new contact lenses. He鈥檚 jovial, relatable, and most of all gives the distinct impression that he cares.聽
The store built its name on customer care under the hand of Huggins, and Heinrich intends to carry that on with the help of Tom鈥檚 son Paul, who is also an optician.聽
鈥淧aul has been licensed for the past 10 years or so, but he鈥檚 been working here since he was in high school. He鈥檚 really come to a place of anticipating customer鈥檚 needs and he鈥檚 got a knack for helping people select fantastic eyewear. He鈥檚 doing what he鈥檚 best at,鈥� said Heinrich, adding he鈥檚 eager to meet the growing needs of Squamish鈥檚 diverse cross-section of residents.
鈥淥ur older customers want the 鈥榤eat and potatoes鈥� in frames and service,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey want classic styles that will last them a long time and we are definitely here to provide that for them, however there鈥檚 a new population base of 麻豆社国产residents: young families, and individuals that are very fashion forward, sports-oriented and conscious of style 鈥� and we want to offer them everything they are looking for.鈥�
The store is continually bringing in new selections of eyewear with an emphasis on active lines for families in the corridor who are eager to explore all the recreational opportunities at their disposal.聽
After living in 麻豆社国产for close to a decade, Heinrich said he feels he鈥檚 truly immersed in the community. As a volunteer of the 麻豆社国产Days Loggers Sports Festival where his father-in-law Al McIntosh has presided as emcee for over 50 years, as well as the Test of Metal and triathlon, Heinrich said he relies on the friendships he鈥檚 made.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been good to be part of a team of local people. It鈥檚 given me a sense of community.鈥�
鈥淢y favourite part of this job is definitely the people,鈥� he said.聽
鈥淭he thing that gets me up every morning is being able to give the best customer service that I can. I want people to have a super positive experience when they come in here.
鈥淧aul and I really enjoy being nice to people. We treat them in a kind and respectful way 鈥� that鈥檚 what we strive to do day in and day out. Absolutely everyone who comes through that door is going to have a positive experience, bar none.鈥�
