Photography by Zhong Ling, sourced from Etnia Barcelona
Personalized Optic 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.
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.
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.
Schedule Your Eye Exam in Hamden →
Schedule Your Eye Exam in New Haven →
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!
What our Patients Say
FAQs About Digital Eye Exams, Insurance & Pricing
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Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians accepts most insurance plans for eyeglasses and contact lenses, including EyeMed, , Aetna, Husky Health, and many others. Vision insurance benefits can often be used toward prescription glasses, lenses, frames, and contact lenses purchased at our New Haven or Hamden locations.
Eye exams are considered out-of-network with all insurance plans, but our team can submit eligible reimbursement claims on your behalf when available.
Comprehensive eye exams & eyeglass purchases are also HSA/FSA eligible.
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A traditional eye exam is completed fully in person with the doctor in the room. At Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians, our digital eye exams use advanced tele-optometry technology. A licensed optician performs all pre-testing in-office and stays with you during the exam, then connects you with a licensed optometrist remotely to complete your vision exam.
You still receive a comprehensive eye exam and updated prescription for glasses or contact lenses, but the digital format allows us to offer convenient exam availability at our New Haven and Hamden locations.
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Comprehensive digital eye exams at Fritz & Hawley Guild Opticians are $95 and are HSA/FSA eligible. Full payment is due at the time of service because eye exams are considered out-of-network with all insurance plans.
If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, our team is happy to submit a reimbursement claim on your behalf when available. If you wear contacts, we may also be able to complete a same-day contact lens evaluation for an additional cost.
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Yes. A contact lens evaluation is an added service beyond a regular eye exam because it involves fitting, lens selection, and checking how the contacts perform on your eyes. The fee is $150 for current or previous contact lens wearers and $200 for patients who are new to contacts. The new wearer fee includes insertion and removal training, plus follow-up visits.
To help relieve cost and stress, our team will also try to help customers submit eligible insurance claims when possible. We can also help you look for other reimbursement options that may be available, including HSA and FSA benefits.