I can see, I can see I'm not ripped off

We often lament the lack of at least some of the chain stores that make life so convenient on the main island of the city. Barnes and Noble, yes, yes, they shut down so many mom and pop joints. But, there they are. Alas, we know of no one who will cop to the occasional Grande anything, fine, fine. But, a quickly made americano, the way they just nod when I order a iced soy latte, grande.
books and coffes are to be had, freely in Western Queens. It's just different. There's coffee at The Grind on 39th Pl. and Queens Blvd; Baruir for the old style version just across the Blvd.
Books - we get those at the library here, mister. Pragmatists that we have become, our nod to poverty and righteousness all served well.

However, we were darn tired of being jazzed up when we needed new lenses and frames. The Pearls, the Cohens, the Crafters all wanted our money. A quick search online found plenty of descrepancy. There are cheap frames that are just as plastic and just as tortoise shell for half the money. There are non-glaring, super scratch resistant lenses as well.
You just have to dig around Western Queens for a minute.
The frames - get them anywhere that's cheap. My faves came from Target and lasted for years,; Sears and JC Penny also have deep discounts and wide assortments.
More finicky? Then find them elsewhere. Just don't pay retail.
But for the lenses - don't be fooled. They're all made of polycarbonate, you want the glare additions and the scratch resistance -all that. This is when you have to shop around.
Take your frames and your blind ass to CN Vision on 46th ST between Greenpoint and 48th Ave. Just a block and change from the train. The works: 94.00 with tax in two days, 15 bucks more for overnight. Not 190/ Not 179. Less than a C-note.

God Bless the Gentle People of Queens.