The Eyewear on Pako story

Founded in 2002 by optometrist Peter Weston and optical dispenser Chris Benning, Eyewear on Pako is a locally owned and operated optometrist and eyewear store located in Geelong West. Optical dispensers Matt Benning, Jane Hutchinson and optometrist Leah Harrington have also joined Peter and Chris as co-owners in recent years. Matt, Jane and Leah have all been valued members of our team for many years and were excited to jump at the opportunity to come on board. After more than 50 years in the optical industry, Chris retired in 2022.

Peter and Chris started a little shop nestled just off Pakington Street, in Yuille Street, Geelong West. It was quaint, had a friendly relaxed atmosphere and the shelves were bursting with great frames. Three years in, we leased the shop next door, knocked a hole in the wall and doubled the size of store, allowing us to offer extended services along with a more extensive range of eyewear. Over the years, Eyewear on Pako has grown to become a thriving small business in the Geelong community that we’re all incredibly proud of.

In 2024, the opportunity to move to an even bigger store, 400 metres down the road at 128-134 Pakington Street, was simply too good to refuse. We’ve always loved having Pakington Street on our doorstep. There’s no other place we’d want to be! “Pako” as us locals fondly call it, is a vibrant and bustling streetscape, home to a wide range of shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it the perfect destination for a day out with friends or family. Whether you're in the mood for a delicious brunch, some retail therapy, a leisurely stroll or all three, Pako’s got you covered. With its charming heritage buildings and friendly locals, you'll feel right at home in this lively and welcoming community.

Our team have all been involved in the process of designing our new store. The result is a beautiful space that we’re extremely proud of. Our new store gives us the space we need to continue offering the service and products we’re renowned for. Things were getting a little cramped at our original location, so the team are beyond excited to have some extra space and a fresh, stylish setting to work in. You’re going to love it too!

We’re extremely lucky to have a dedicated team of optometrists and optical dispensers who align with our core practice of providing exceptional customer service. Our close-knit team understands the importance of great customer service and value the relationships formed with clients, suppliers and the local community alike. Our staff are assets to our team, each bringing their own individual skills, qualities and personalities to the practice. No matter when you walk in the door, there will always be a familiar face, ready to welcome you back to Eyewear on Pako.

Our curated collection of eyewear is regarded as one of the best collections of eyewear in Australia (or in our biased opinion, maybe even the world!). The collection of eyewear and sunglasses is hand selected and constantly evolves. Life would get pretty boring for us all if it didn’t! We love sourcing beautifully made eyewear from all over the world, and love bringing them to the streets of Geelong. With a collection this big, we’ve got something for everyone!