In affluent areas, they can do well provided you have an attractive and current inventory of frames and a sales staff that is motivated to present and promote the more profitable lines of frames and lenses. Selling premium sunglasses can also add to the shop's profitability. You want to feature prescription sunglass sales along with regular glasses and also offer premium readers. You need to distinguish your offerings from those of discount opticals, so it is important to carry lines above those at Sam's Club and other similar stores.
The cost includes your buildout, display cases, showroom furniture, the cost of inventory, frames and lens blanks if you are doing your own edging, lease or finance costs of an edger, workroom hand tools, supplies and furniture, lensmeters, appliances like bead baths and tint baths (if you are bringing that work in house), blocking equipment, the ongoing rental of shop space, staff salaries and utilities.
Having one may or may not create issues with referring optometrists who have competing opticals.
