Why We Chose To Open Lens Lounge In Coffs Harbour

When people ask why we chose to open Lens Lounge in Coffs Harbour, the answer is actually quite simple.

It felt right.

Not just the town itself, but the specific space, the neighbourhood around it, and the opportunity to create something a little different.

From the very beginning, Lens Lounge was never going to be a traditional optical store. We wanted to create a space that felt welcoming, thoughtful and personal - somewhere people genuinely enjoyed spending time, whether they were due for an eye test or simply browsing eyewear.

Finding the right location was always going to be a big part of that vision.

The Space That Started It All

Before we signed a lease, before we chose paint colours, and before a single frame went on display, there was the space.

And honestly, I fell in love with it the moment I walked through the door.

The soaring 3.5 metre ceilings gave it a sense of openness and character that is hard to find. It didn't feel like a typical retail tenancy. It felt like a blank canvas.

I could immediately picture what Lens Lounge might become.

Not a clinical environment. Not a brightly lit showroom filled wall-to-wall with products.

A considered space. A place where eye care and eyewear could exist alongside good design, comfort and conversation.

Why The Jetty Made Sense

The Jetty has a personality all of its own.

People come here to catch up over coffee, browse local businesses, enjoy a meal with friends, or simply spend time wandering through the neighbourhood.

There's a sense of community that's difficult to manufacture.

Unlike a shopping centre, where every store needs to fit within a broader formula, the Jetty offered something we valued enormously: freedom.

Freedom to create a space that reflects our own personality.

Freedom to design an experience that feels different.

Freedom to build Lens Lounge exactly as we imagined it.

That level of creative control was incredibly important to us.

More Than Just Foot Traffic

Of course, the Jetty is a busy part of town.

There's no shortage of people exploring the area, stopping for coffee, meeting friends for lunch or discovering local businesses.

But what attracted us wasn't just the foot traffic.

It was the atmosphere.

The independent businesses.

The cafés.

The conversations happening on the street.

The feeling that people aren't rushing from one place to another - they're actually enjoying being there.

That's the kind of environment we wanted Lens Lounge to be part of.

Creating Something Different

Coffs Harbour has grown enormously over the years, but we felt there was room for a different kind of optical practice.

One that places equal importance on eye care, eyewear and experience.

One that takes a more personal approach.

One that feels considered from the moment you walk through the door.

Every decision we've made - from the layout and materials to the frame collections we carry - has been guided by that idea.

To create the kind of optical practice we'd choose for ourselves.

A Return To The Jetty

This location also carries a more personal connection.

My mum grew up in the Jetty area, so in many ways, opening Lens Lounge here feels a little like coming full circle.

The area has changed over the years, but it still holds the same sense of character and community that made it special in the first place.

Being able to contribute to that community through Lens Lounge feels incredibly meaningful.

Looking Forward

Lens Lounge was built with the belief that eye care can be both professional and personal.

That choosing glasses should feel enjoyable.

That a visit to your optometrist doesn't have to feel rushed or transactional.

And that great design, thoughtful service and genuine connection still matter.

We couldn't think of a better place to bring that vision to life than right here in the Jetty, Coffs Harbour.