LEXINGTON, Ky. — A fast-growing online lifestyle eyewear brand has officially put down its roots in Lexington. Shady Rays opened its flagship retail store at 113 Marion located inside The Summit at Fritz Farm.

What You Need To Know

  • Shady Rays cut the ribbon on its first brick-and-mortar store in Lexington

  • The fast-growing lifestyle eyewear brand was founded in Kentucky

  • The 1,000 square-foot retail space is located in The Summit at Fritz Farm

  • For every pair of shades purchased, the business donates 10 meals to Feeding America

Officials on Saturday gathered to celebrate the occasion, including Gov. Andy Beshear. Shady Rays CEO Chris Ratterman, State Representative Matt Lockett and other local and state officials gathered to welcome customers into the first of many planned retail outlets for the eyewear brand.

“Today, we celebrate the growth, expansion, and future of Shady Rays, not only in Lexington, but around the country,” Shady Rays CEO Chris Ratterman said in a press release. “I’m honored to bring our amazing brand to our loyal customers in Lexington and throughout Kentucky."

The 1,000 square-foot retail space showcases frame and lens options from Shady Rays’ collection of lifestyle and performance sunglasses, featuring seasonal availability of snow goggles and other outdoor wearables.

The store provides an in-person option for customers to exercise Shady Rays’ exclusive lost and broken replacement program, which Ratterman said has been a key differentiator for Shady Rays’ explosive growth.

“Shady Rays was founded out of a spare bedroom right here in Kentucky, and last year the company was recognized as one of the fastest growing eyewear brands in the United States,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “What’s more, this business gives back to its community by fighting hunger with every order, with more than 20 million meals donated so far."

A recent Resonate study found that despite increasing online shopping availability and COVID protocols, there has been a 27% increase since last winter in consumers browsing in stores.

“The in-person environment allows people to experience all aspects of the Shady Rays brand and product in a new way,” Ratterman said. “Going from all e-commerce to brick-and-mortar could intimidate some, but we know that the time is right for Shady Rays."

Shady Rays offers a variety of frames and lenses, both lifestyle and sports performance-oriented.

The brick-and-mortar store will also offer the brand’s popular $18 “Mystery Pair” addition to any regular-priced purchase, as well as extending Shady Rays’ ongoing practice to fight hunger in America through their contribution of 10 meals for every shades purchase going to Feeding America and other Global FoodBanking Network partners.