Longe Optical is proud to announce the grand reopening of its historic North Anthony store location, which has undergone extensive renovations to better serve the Fort Wayne community.
News release from Surack Enterprises:
Longe Optical Celebrates Grand Reopening of Iconic Historical Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana (August 8, 2025) – Longe Optical is proud to announce the grand reopening of its historic North Anthony store location, which has undergone extensive renovations to better serve the Fort Wayne community.
Joining Longe team members at Monday’s ribbon cutting are councilman Geoff Paddock, councilman Russ Jehl, representatives from Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., and various community members who call the North Anthony Corridor home.
General Manager Josh Quintana said, “This remodel was necessary to modernize our space while preserving the historic charm of our building. Customer needs and industry standards evolve over time, and Longe Optical is committed to meeting those needs with cutting-edge functionality, accessibility, and a welcoming atmosphere.”
Renovations include upgraded exam technology, improved lighting, and a more streamlined store layout to improve both patient flow and the overall customer experience. Longe Optical also updated the location’s interior finishes, enhanced its display shelves, and refreshed the exterior façade.
“The remodeled space supports our commitment to quality eye care and positions us as a lasting part of this historic neighborhood’s future,” said Quintana.
Proudly Serving Fort Wayne for Decades
Longe Optical’s North Anthony store has proudly served Fort Wayne for more than 60 years, during which time, multiple generations of families have come to rely on this location for their vision care needs. The building itself is part of the historic fabric of the North Anthony Corridor; a district rooted in the early 20th-century City Beautiful movement.
Former Longe owner and current long-time Longe employee Larry Kensill has faithfully served Longe Optical since 1958. During a recent interview, Kensill recalled his memories of founder E.J. Longe purchasing the North Anthony location in 1963. “I watched this building being built over a year-and-a-half time period,” he said. “I talked with Mr. Longe. I said, ‘Why don’t we go out and look at that building? I think it would work out for both retail and the lab.’ So, we came out the following day on our lunch hour, and he purchased the building.”
“He then went down and told his wife what he’d done,” Kensill added with a chuckle. “That’s the way he always did things.”
Community Invited to Block Party Celebration
To demonstrate its continued commitment to the North Anthony community, Longe Optical will host a neighborhood block party in the North Anthony store parking lot on Saturday, August 16th from 9 AM – 2PM.
The celebration will feature several food trucks, including Brooks BBQ and Chicken, music from DJ WhoisKeylo, and a Kids Zone with free family-friendly activities like balloon animals and face painting. Longe will also offer amazing, limited-time promotions, encouraging families to prioritize their eye health and schedule an eye exam.
Quintana emphasized the importance of Longe being a good neighbor and providing a vital service for patients in both the North Anthony Corridor and beyond.
He said, “This isn’t just a store remodel, it’s a revitalization of a historic space within one of Fort Wayne’s most iconic corridors. As the North Anthony area experiences a broader renaissance, our remodel reflects a commitment to preserving history while investing in the future. It’s a story of community pride, local investment, and small business sustainability in a beloved neighborhood.”
For more information on Longe Optical and its services, visit LongeOptical.com.
About Longe Optical
Our mission is to provide each and every guest with their most satisfying eye care experience ever. At each of our six convenient locations, we have friendly, thorough independent optometrists and highly trained opticians who will help you find your perfect pair of glasses or contact lenses. Longe Optical has been a Fort Wayne optical health care establishment for over 65 years and has the only on-site all-digital lab in the area. Start the process by requesting an eye exam today!
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