Eye Exams and Glasses in New Haven and Hamden, CT
Personalized Optical Care for all your Eyewear Needs
Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians provides comprehensive digital eye exams at our New Haven and Hamden, Connecticut locations.
Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians provides professional eye exams, custom eyewear, and personalized optical care in New Haven and Hamden, Connecticut. Our licensed opticians focus on careful measurements, clear explanations, and eyewear that fits your lifestyle. Whether you visit us on Whitney Ave in Hamden or Chapel Street in downtown New Haven near Yale University, you’ll receive trusted local eye care with modern exam technology and curated frame collections.
Explore Our Prescription Eyeglass Services →
Curated Eyewear, Glasses & Repairs in New Haven & Hamden, CT
In addition to comprehensive eye exams, Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians offers custom lenses, frame styling, adjustments, and eyeglass repairs at both our New Haven and Hamden, CT locations.
Explore Our Prescription Eyeglass Services →
Eyewear
Brands we carry.
We proudly carry brands that share our same principle- quality. We have curated our frames to allow for a variety of styles and colors. Visit us in store to check out our full frame selection.
An optical shop with history.
Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians has been serving New Haven County for over 100 years. As one of the first optical shops in Connecticut, Gustave Fritz and George Hawley opened The Fritz & Hawley Company in 1900. Fast-forward to 2018, our very own Manny Colón stepped in to carry the torch—bringing fresh energy while keeping the legacy alive. The story’s still unfolding, and we’re just getting started! Come be a part of our journey.
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![Historic optical shop at 816 Chapel Street in New Haven, CT]()
1855
Optician Paul Roessler opens what is believed to be the first optical shop in Connecticut—and the first of its kind between New York City and Boston—at 816 Chapel Street in New Haven, CT inside the historic Phoenix Building.
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![Gustave Fritz and George Hawley at the original Fritz & Hawley optical shop in New Haven, CT]()
1900
At 816 Chapel Street in New Haven, CT, Gustave G. Fritz and George S. Hawley acquire the optical shop from Paul Roessler and go on to establish The Fritz & Hawley Company.
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![In-house lab at 816 Chapel Street in New Haven, CT where glass lenses were manufactured]()
1900
816 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT — home to an in-house lab where glass lenses were manufactured on-site.
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![Ground floor retail space selling optical equipment and cameras on Chapel Street in New Haven, CT]()
1935
816 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT — ground floor retail space where optical equipment, cameras, greeting cards, and pocket watches were sold.
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![Fritz & Hawley celebrating 100 years of optical service in Connecticut]()
1955
Fritz & Hawley celebrates 100 years!
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![Vintage photograph of Chapel Street in New Haven, CT where Fritz & Hawley operated]()
1960
Chapel Street, New Haven, CT
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![Vintage photograph of Chapel Street in New Haven, CT where Fritz & Hawley operated]()
1960
Chapel Street, New Haven, CT
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![Historic Fritz & Hawley Whitney Avenue location in Hamden, CT]()
1960
Fritz & Hawley operated on Whitney Avenue in Hamden, CT prior to the reopening of the Vision Center in 1966.
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![Ribbon cutting ceremony for Fritz & Hawley Vision Center on Whitney Avenue in Hamden, CT]()
1966
Fritz & Hawley open what is believed to be New England’s first ‘Vision Center,’ located in Hamden, CT.
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![Ribbon cutting ceremony for Fritz & Hawley Vision Center on Whitney Avenue in Hamden, CT]()
1966
Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Vision Center on Whitney Avenue in Hamden, CT
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![Fritz & Hawley third location at 113 River Street in Milford, Connecticut]()
1969
A third location opens at 113 River Street in Milford, Connecticut.
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![Modern Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians storefront at 2313 Whitney Avenue in Hamden, CT]()
2018-Present
Located at 2313 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT Emmanuel "Manny" Colón took over the practice in 2018 and, with his dedicated staff, keeps the shop thriving and looking forward to the future!
Testimonials
What our Patients Say.
Great experience, great staff! I was able to get in quickly for an exam which was great! Highly recommend! Best in town.
Jake P.
Great experience! Tried their new tele-health system and it was spot on. Better experience than my previous in-person doctor at another local place. My prescription for glasses and contacts was perfect. They had both ready 2days later! The staff took their time to teach me about my eyes- definitely referring my friends and family here!
Jayden S.
Amazing place! I’ve been going to Fritz & Hawley for a few years and they always treat me well and with care. Definitely recommend Fritz & Hawley :)
Yazmin C.
I needed a 2nd pair of reading glasses and everyone here could not have been more pleasant and helpful from picking the frames out to day of delivery making sure they fit. Highly recommended a place to truly have personalized experience.
Stacy L.
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