Get to know the people behind your glasses. Today's optician: The man from les Îles
Name : Gino Cormier
Nickname : Doctor Spock or FSK
Years of experience : 31 years
Territory : St-Michel – Repentigny – Lachine – Lasalle – Rawdon – Berthierville – St-Gabriel – Lavaltrie – Joliette – St-Côme – Mile End
If you are a Bonhomme customer and have been served by Gino Cormier, you remember. With his accent from les Îles de la Madeleine and his contagious cheerfulness, it is almost impossible to confuse him with another of our colleagues. If the real Doctor Spock is half-human, half-Vulcan, our Gino is 100% madelinot, and it only takes a few minutes to notice his lively spirit. How did a man from les iIes ended up working with us in Mile-End? Let's find out.
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN OPTICIAN?
I am a nurse by profession. This is the job I had in les iles de la Madeleine. One day, my sister asked me to pick up glasses for my godson. I went there and was shocked by how expensive it was for kids. I paid, and then I went home and searched through the college guidebook to find this particular field of study. I then moved to Montréal and studied at CÉGEP Édouard Montpetit from 1987 to 1990. Afterwards, I came back home and opened my own store. Since there was only one other at the time, my goal was to sell glasses for less. That's what I did for 23 years.
HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING AT BONHOMME À LUNETTES?
I knew Philippe because he came to replace me during my vacation back in 2001. He stayed for a while after I got back so I got to know him. Years later, I sold my office and moved to Montreal because my daughters were coming to study here. At first, I was doing contracts here and there and I met Philippe again. It was in 2015 when Bonhomme à lunettes really began to grow. I was doin one last contract before taking a break but Philippe called me on the Friday morning to tell me that he needed me. I've been here ever since. It's been 6 years!
IS THERE AN INTERESTING STORY BEHIND YOUR NICKNAME?
It's another silly thing from Philippe. It's a character from Star Wars I think (Star Trek Gino. Star Trek). It's related to the fact that I have both feet on the ground and my head in the stars. At least I think that's what it is. You never really know with Philippe.
DO YOU SEE A LINK BETWEEN WHAT YOU WERE DOING BACK HOME AND WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?
Yes. There's a lot of former owners here. When you're the owner and the name Gino Cormier is on the front door, you want the job done right. But whether you are an owner or not, older or younger, we all have a legacy. With this superb roster of opticians who work here and our excellent support staff, the work is meticulous and well done. There is also the notion of making glasses accessible. I used to do it back home and we still do it here. That's why I'm still here. It works for me. With the pandemic and all, I believe that our mission takes on an even higher importance because many people count their pennies and have to work with a much tighter budget.
WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER ONE ADVICE FOR CLIENTS?
Be sure to bring your prescription, all the necessary information, and your good mood. We take care of the rest!