Thomas Hommerberg has opened a new optical boutique in the German city, with furniture sourced from old night clubs and modern design elements including a floating counter
After 14 years as store manager, master optician Thomas Hommerberg has achieved his dream in the hardest of climates. His new store in Stuttgart specialises in independent eyewear brands and design labels.
“The concept is to bring to Stuttgart real independent eyewear in a unique shop which is far removed from the mass market”, he told Eyestylist. “This is definitely missing here and this is the concept of my store. Individuality, quality, mixed with great independent styles in a modular shop system for individual people. We created a modular system with our architects and urban shop system, with some neon lights, palms and a touch of palm springs style. We are not conservative, so it was clear that we needed a name with more style than “Optik…” like everybody else. The name was found by my UX-Designer and it comes from the movie “Dirty Dancing”. For us it is an artificial word with a positive vibe. We have lots of customers coming to the store and singing softly “Hungry Eyes”!” – Above: Hungry Eyes – photo by Julia Ochs
Despite opening in November 2020 during the pandemic, without any possibility for a launch party, the new collections are well received in the neighbourhood which is in the heart of the city of Stuttgart. Brands include Blackfin, Gigi Studios, Coblens, FOLC, ROLF Spectacles, TVR and Nirvan Javan. “We are trying to give our customers a very good shopping experience even in this hard times,” Thomas said. “Beside the frame brands we have some accessories from Frame Chain and from some local dealers, to support our neighbours.”
“We love good design, but we always keep the most important thing in focus: our products and our customers” Thomas Hommerberg, Stuttgart
The interior works with a modular system, with grey tones, natural surfaces and green plants. The furniture was sourced from old nightclubs in Munich (Thomas describes them as “Freddy Mercury” era pieces from the 1980s-90s) creating an interesting eye-catching contrast to the stone wall of glasses. The palms and cacti have been added to bring the atmosphere to life. “With the neon lights we have an exciting mixture of palm springs, 80s and very modern elements,” he tells us. “And the floating counter makes the store interior complete.”
Rosenbergstrasse 76, Stuttgart, Germany
