Interview conducted by Linda Ayres, Cleveland Park Main Street volunteer
Uptown Vision has been in Cleveland Park for over 25 years.
Its owner, Dr. Steven Schneid, grew up in New York City and Miami. He worked at a hospital, volunteered in a dental office and then at an optometrist before finding out what he wanted to do. After working for as an optician at a corporate chain, he went to the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.
He opened his own practice in Virginia, then added Takoma Park, and, in 1993, Cleveland Park. He worked seven days a week, making a circuit of all three locations before dropping things off at the lab. The desire to spend time with family caused him to close the Virginia location and decrease the number of days at work. Most of his patients come in for medical eye care and laser vision correction as well as eye glasses and contact lenses.
Dr. Schneid opened the Cleveland Park office because there was nothing like it in the neighborhood and he found a nice complement of businesses nearby. He describes the area as community-based, with great small business support and praises the work of the Cleveland Park Business Association, of which he is a member.
The name Uptown Vision reflects the fact that the practice is in the Uptown Theater building and that the Klingle Bridge is a dividing line between downtown and uptown. Schneid, an antiques collector, selected the over-sized eyeglass frames for his outdoor signage. The eye-catching frames are reminiscent of 19th century signage for an eyeglass store.
In his years in Cleveland Park, he has watched people grow up, move to the suburbs to raise children, and then return as empty-nesters. He says, “Cleveland Park is like a phoenix. It keeps rising from the ashes and getting stronger. It is deep-rooted in its character. People feel at home when they shop here.”
Uptown Vision is a full-service Optometric practices that provide comprehensive eye exams, Laser Vision consultation and co-management, medical treatment of eye disease, all types of contact lenses, and the latest fashion eyewear. Visit Uptown Vision at 3424 Connecticut Ave NW, and give them a call at (202) 363-2300 to make an appointment.