THE GLASS HOUSE

A Vision for Steveston

Optician Erik Bucaneg recently fulfilled his dream of opening an optical store in Steveston village. The Glass House opened in August; here, you will find original eyewear collections that showcase individuality.

The amiable business owner unintentionally got his start in the optical industry 11 years ago. Raised in Richmond, Erik headed to Nelson, B.C., to study music. While living in the small town, he worked part-time in an optical store.

Erik Bucaneg, owner of The Glass House

@sandrasteierphotography

With a smile, Erik says, “I fell into the industry, but developed a passion and love for helping people. It is a highly rewarding feeling to give people the gift of better vision.”

When he returned to the Lower Mainland, Erik detoured from his plan to be a studio musician (he’s a talented guitar player) and instead trained to be an optician and earned his license in 2015.

Erik began his career working in a clinic and then managed a small boutique in Vancouver. In 2019 he had an innovative idea to operate a mobile practice where he saw clients in their homes and offices.

“It was tailored to busy people who didn’t have time to visit a brick-and-mortar shop,” says Erik. He built his client base through referrals and travelled as far as Whistler. Although he enjoyed his roving business, he grew tired of being on the road. An opportunity arose to lease the Chatham Street storefront across from Save-On- Foods.

He says, “I decided to plant my roots. I enjoyed Nelson and Steveston has a familiar small town, community feeling. It’s a big step for me, and I am thrilled to be in one place. Owning and operating my shop offers me an opportunity to develop meaningful, long-term relationships with my clients. I wanted to put my vision into the business.”

The Glass House was inspired by an appreciation for design, style, and craftsmanship.

Erik comments, “We strive to showcase the beauty in simplicity, displayed through our curated eyewear collections, to our customdesigned and hand-built furniture.”

The open-concept space feels like a blend between an industrial studio and a welcoming dining room; a magnificent live-edge Douglas Fir table takes centre stage, and a eye-catching contemporary chandelier hangs overhead.

Preparing the shop for its opening was a labour of love, thanks to teamwork from Erik’s friends and family. They helped build the shop’s three tables that Erik designed; a friend with a metal shop even taught him to weld to construct the tables’ bases. Erik’s mother created three striking paintings that hang on the back walls.

The Glass House has no display cases; wooden shelves line the walls with frames to try on. Erik is eager to have customers experiment with different frames. In the future, he will also offer eye exams.

“The Glass House is not defined by the brands it carries but rather by the excellence in the quality of care we provide. Our world is incredibly diverse, and we take a personalized approach to understanding our client’s unique wants and needs. Eyewear is the perfect bridge between fashion and function. We provide our clients with a clearer perspective and vessels of selfexpression,” says Erik.

The store does not sell the traditional designer brands found in many stores; instead, Erik prefers to carry frames from smaller designers from Los Angeles, Italy, Germany, and Japan. He says, “Construction, design and quality are more important to me than a logo.”

“I think there’s a face for every frame, for however bold someone is willing to be.”

Erik embraces style and owns 30 pairs of glasses which he pairs with different outfits. He is happy to help his customers find a frame that will make them feel comfortable expressing their personalities. He remarks, “I can help build your eyewear wardrobe. I start with the shape of a face and look at a client’s colouring, skin tone, eyes, and features. The goal is to emphasize their look to help them feel confident and happy.”

People have been discovering the store and are pleased with this new addition to Steveston. It can be hard to find parking in the village, so parking out front is a bonus.

Erik says, “I want people to feel comfortable in this safe space where they can get adventurous trying on frames.”

The Glass House

110-3591 Chatham Street Richmond, BC V7E 2Z1

Phone 604-330-3789

www.theglasshouseboutique.ca

Story by Sarah Gordon (Nov 2022)