Eye Fashion Factory Outlet

Katie ArnoldSmall Business, Success Stories

Eye Fashion Factory was founded on March 20, 1984 by Robert and Sandra Dobynes, committed to educating customers about the best frame and lens options to fit an individual vision care needs. Robert and Sandra were able to purchase all of the necessary equipment to begin operations. For the first two years, the young business partners rented a small space owned by a local ophthalmologist. In this location, Eye Fashion Factory functioned primarily as a wholesale manufacturer of eyeglasses for local eye doctors. They sold and repaired eyeglasses for the doctor’s patients. In 1985 they purchased a lot at the intersection of Natural Bridge Avenue and Goodfellow Boulevard in St. Louis, MO and were able to open its doors to the public the fall of 1986.
Later on, as the result of partnership with Justine PETERSEN, the Eye Fashion Factory was able to obtain a micro loan for renovations. This partnership opened the door for much deserved company awareness and recognition by the St. Louis Business Journal, St. Louis Mayoral Business Association, and St. Louis American. The Eye Fashion Factory undertook a major renovation in 2011 and was the 2013 recipient of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Business of the Year Award in the 22nd Ward.