The new Archives store in Silver Lake, California.
Courtesy of Archives
Garrett Leight California Optical is launching today, a new destination for rare vintage, collector and deadstock eyewear. Leight’s store in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles has been repurposed for the new concept, called Archives, which reflects 16 years of eyewear history with frames from Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith, Ray-Ban, Jean Paul Gaultier, Cazal and Gucci, sold beside deadstock GLCO styles and selections from the personal collections of Garrett and his father, Larry Leight, an eyewear pioneer and cofounder of Oliver Peoples.
The eyeglasses will be available online and in-store.
In an eyewear industry where huge players are gobbling up market share, Leight has managed to thrive with an eclectic assortment and an ability to pivot as demand shifts. But he never strays too far from his original concept, which includes offering a selection of glasses you don’t see every day and taking a community-centric approach to the business.
Looking Back To Move Forward
Leight started Archives in 2010 on Abbott Kinney Boulevard, a trendy mile-long strip in Venice Beach, California. “My father had all these vintage frames that we opened the store with,” Leight said. “The physical space of Archives will be a celebration of the business over 20 years.” There’s also stores in New York City and Austin, and the brand can be found in select optical stores around the world, as well as Jenni Kayne, Mr. Porter, KITH and Bergdorf Goodman, among others.
The optical industry, which is on its way to logging $120 billion in global volume, according to WorldMetrics, is witnessing a digital reshaping, as online sales steadily climb to represent a quarter of the market. Still, the strength of physical stores, from local independents to large chains, proves that convenience and trust still matter to consumers. Leight’s “Designed in California, Crafted in Japan” motto is intended to signify that his product is high-end. Most eyewear is produced in China.
“I grew up in this industry surrounded by eyewear made in Japan, and I’ll never forget the awe and excitement it inspired in people who discovered it for the first time,” said Leight. “That same feeling continues to drive me today.”
In 2024, the eyewear market in the U.S. was valued at $45.5 billion and is expected to grow to $69.05 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.4%, according to Statista. Local and international players control the market, including the dominant player, EssilorLuxottica. Consumer trends include an increasing demand for luxury.
Prices Based On Rarity And Other Factors
“My vision has been to offer true value to our customers by focusing on what matters most to me: original design and uncompromising quality through our California lens,” he said. “My goal is to ensure that those who appreciate world class eyewear see the value collection of Garrett Leight overstock is selling for $150 tog $250. Hampton J and Kinney J styles are $465 each and there’s an Oliver People’s frame called the O’Malley, which never left the factory and is unused, part of Garrett Leight overstock.
The eyewear industry, with virtual try-ons and AI is helping companies achieve higher sales. “You can find your perfect frame and get all your questions answered, without ever leaving your couch,” Leight said, adding that the new store also offers appointments for private shopping with an optician.
Unlike most eyewear retailers, there’s a locked glass case for displaying the rarest finds, 80s pieces of vintage eyewear. The case is meant to introduce consumers to a white glove service where customers to ask to see the frames and an optician engages with them.
Leight’s partners in the business are family office partners. “They like the brand and investment,” he said.
His father is still involved in the business. Leight senior had a cache of Ray Bans, Oliver Peoples and Paul Smith styles that he contributed to the new store. They can be reissued if there’s excitement around a certain model, Leight said.
“My father was 50-something when I started GLCO and he’s 70-something now,” Leight said. “He’s been very passionate about the industry and the world and how it interacts with people, When he started, he was hustling and bustling around LA. He hasn’t lost his passion for the business. If I didn’t start Garrett Leight, he wouldn’t have anything to do, he’d be unhappy.”
When the older Leight opened eyewear store Oliver Peoples in 1986 there was a treasure chest of things that were bought for the store. “It was like a toy factory, you can build glasses yourself,” said Leight. “Then they started Paul Smith. In 2026, we have a bunch of it all. Ray Bans we bought as a reference for one of our designs. We re going to display these things but it’s not all going to be displayed on day one.
“The consumer gets to be part of the process,” Leight said. “Some things we may have more of and other things we only have one. My dad made a prototype and it never made it to market. We have an email and customers can email and it goes directly to me and we can have a conversation.”