Gentlemen’s Breakfast talks Custom Eyewear…

Eyewear has become as important to a man’s persona as his watch. Depending on who you ask, even more important since it is the first thing people see on you.  Luckily for you, we found where to find eyewear that the guy next to you isn’t wearing… and that’s a good thing!

Just around the corner from the newly hip joint “Mohawk Bend” on Echo Park’s evolving Mohawk Street in LA, lies a small but not missed eyeglass store called Gentlemen’s Breakfast. Specializing only in vintage eyewear, owner Van de la Plante speaks with TSCM about his quest for the perfect frame…

Gentlemen’s Breakfast opened in 2010 with a unique focus of only offering authentic vintage and vintage inspired eyewear.  Van’s background in retail spans over 15 or so years, selling everything from “guns to women’s shoes.”  So where’s the connection?  Van has also been an optician for over ten years.

Like the Self Centered Man, Van’s mission, he says, is to have a spot for men to feel at home and “handsome up.”  ”I opened Gentlemen’s Breakfast because I got sick of selling eyewear and accessories that relied on the logo to push the product instead of the quality and design,” says Van.

Gentlemen’s Breakfast has a very unique feel when going through its shelves.  Organized by style, the inventory is carefully hand-picked from all over the world.  Couple that with an owner who will even dye a set of vintage tortoise frames a dark hue of burgundy for you if asked to, the shop is one of high personal attention.

One thing that caught our eye was the 1960′s Prison Glasses.  These were originally issued to inmates across the U.S. state penitentiaries.  The frame’s intentional lack of an inner metal support and flexible Dupont nylon make-up, prevented them being used as a shaved down weapon. They are lightweight and of course come with that story.

Gentlemen’s Breakfast also offers customization on any frame.  This ranges from electroplating, anodization, acetate dying, heating up your frame and bending to fit, as well as other personalized custom repairs not offered by your chain retailer.

It’s hard to find the exclusiveness of a vintage set of frames.  We’re glad we stumbled on Van’s shop and were able to share it with you.  Check out the Gentlemen’s Breakfast at 1101 Mohawk St. in Echo Park, California.  You won’t be underwhelmed by the standard fare.

GENTLEMEN’S BREAKFAST

Tuesdays - Saturdays 12pm – 7pm

Sundays 12pm – 6pm

 You can also find them online at

gentsbreakfast.blogspot.com

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