La Loupe Garmisch-Partenkirchen No. 5

*
Michaela Nelhiebel *
engl. / Under the motto “See better, experience”
the team around Michaela and Gerhard
Nelhiebel greets its clients at the optometry
shop Optik Schneider where they offer the best
possible advice on “all things concerning a good
sight”. The specialist business is an eyesight
counselling centre and competent partner when
it’s about the topic of eyes. For more than 85
years Optik Schneider has been working with
the latest technology and the highest quality
standards. La Loupe spoke to the owner, about
the business’ history, current trends when it
comes to glasses, and all the aspects one should
take into consideration when buying new
glasses.
Partenkirchen as the town’s first “imported” soccer player
and optician. He met his wife here and founded Optik Schneider
in her parents’ house. Later my mother Helga Braun took
over the shop and today my husband and I run it together.
The fourth generation, our son Moritz, has just passed his
final apprenticeship exam and will hopefully take over Optik
Schneider. The passion for the job runs in our veins, so to
speak. Even when I was a teenager I always helped out in my
parents’ business, I practically grew up here.
Even today Optik Schneider has one decisive advantage: we
have staff who have been with us for a long time, four of our
employees have been here for more than 20 years, and our
secretary has been with us for 60 years. This fact certainly
played a big role in our success. We simply are a great team!
Apprentices who are trained here often stay until they retire.
Training generally is very important, unfortunately the
industry has too few trainees.
L.L. Spectacles have become a fashion statement. How does
this fact show in our optometry shop?
M.N. We have the latest trends from known fashion labels.
At the moment, mirrored glasses in different colours and
particularly flat sunglasses are extremely hip. In Garmisch-
Partenkirchen people value extravagant models, much like
in a big city. It’s good fun to see the latest trends and watch
the developments. Here at Optik Schneider we really stock
only the latest models, that’s something we make a point of.
Even my grandmother used to import the latest sunglasses
from the USA because she had good contacts. The shop has always
kept pace with the latest trends. Today we already offer
next year’s spring and summer collections in autumn. Aside
from classics, we only stock each model once. What’s sold is
sold! We’d rather buy new models. Especially when it comes
to sunglasses that are not worn all the time like prescriptions
glasses, the clients are more bold. As a fashion accessory,
sunglasses improve every outfit.
Shopping &
Lifestyle
“At Optik Schneider
we stock only the
latest models, we
really make a point
of that.”
“We have about
4,000 sunglasses
and 2,000
prescription
glasses on stock.”
“As a fashionable
accessory, sunglasses
add to
every outfit.”
134
L.L. Optik Schneider celebrated its 85th anniversary last
year. Would you take us on a short trip down memory lane?
M.N. In 1931 my grandfather came to Garmisch-
L.L. What materials are particularly popular at the
moment?
M.N. Right now we have many wooden frames, we can’t
135