If you’re like me and need corrective lenses, but don’t want to deal with contact lenses or laser eye surgery, you’re stuck needing some spectacles to strap on your face. The last two pairs of glasses that I had purchased were definitely on the cheap side. They were very rinky-dink, the lenses would pop out, and I often had to wind the screws back in with a miniature flat-head screwdriver. I decided to check out two uniquely different stores: America’s Best and Modern Eye. They are both located barely a half-block away from each other off of 13th and Walnut Streets in Center City. I checked out America’s Best first, and was greeted by a pissed off woman that was slapping a laser jet printer with her hand and complaining that she should be on her smoke break. The store was filled with about 6 employees roving around with goofy white over-sized lab coats. I was told to sit down and fill out an application before I could even look at the frames that were on display on the wall. (I didn’t need a new prescription, so there was no need to see an optometrist.) Once my application was "cleared", I was told to "go ahead and pick out a pair of frames". There was zilch customer service. Upon looking at the frames, I noticed that many of them were very greasy. The selections were inexpensive, but very limited in style. I couldn’t even come up with one potential frame and told one of the lab coat guys that I was rolling out. He looked at me in utter shock. Upon entering Modern Eye, which was much smaller in size than America’s Best, I was greeted by friendly and knowledgeable employees that were eager to help me out. The decor of Modern Eye is very relaxed, enhanced by some chill music, and the frames were encased in glass displays. They didn’t push me expensive frames, even though they had plenty of ‘em. I told them my price range, and they granted my wishes by letting me try on about 20 different frames. Picking out frames can be tough, as it’s like adding an extension to your face. The frame selection ranges from vibrantly funky to subtle, with loads of major name brands. I ended up with a nice pair of Oliver Peoples and called it a day. So, if you don’t care about what the hell your frames look like and just want to spend $70, go to America’s Best. If you want great customer service and loads of options, go to Modern Eye. On a side note…I must admit that the Modern Eye web site is very confusing and filled with mystery meat navigation. The web site does not equate to the experience of being in the Modern Eye store at all. Although the web site is very unique, it can be highly annoying if you’re trying to find some information quickly.