{"id":166,"date":"2018-03-26T13:14:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-26T13:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/?page_id=166"},"modified":"2026-03-25T09:58:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T09:58:33","slug":"us-en-our-story-opticians","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/?page_id=166","title":{"rendered":"Our Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<h1>Our Story<\/h1>\r\n<p>Our story, Opticians, at Bernard Shear Opticians goes back to the 1930&#8217;s.\u00a0 Four generations of eye care professionals in Baltimore, Maryland.\u00a0 First was the master optician Samuel shear then Bernard shear then came Harvey shear.\u00a0 Our stories most recent update is our residing optometrist Dr. Melissa B. Shear.<\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Two opticians standing in front of an optical store.\" src=\"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/samuel-shear-1916--232x300-portrait.jpg\" alt=\"Two opticians standing in front of an optical store.\" width=\"232\" height=\"300\" class=\"no-lazyload\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h4>Samuel Shear\u00a0<\/h4>\r\n<p>Initially, Samuel Shear arrived in America as a first-generation immigrant from Lithuania.\u00a0 Subsequently, he applied his deep knowledge of optics and a strong drive to succeed.\u00a0 Meanwhile, he traveled along the Eastern Seaboard, peddling eyeglass lenses to towns and cities where vision care was scarce.\u00a0 Consequently, his devotion to craftmanship and personalized service began to stand out.\u00a0 Over time, his reputation grew.\u00a0\u00a0By 1921, Samuel Shear married Goldie, and together they raised their only child Bernard Shear.\u00a0 Later in 1938, Samuel had transformed his vision into reality by founding Monumental Optical in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.\u00a0 Thus, the Shears&#8217; legacy was born.<\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"bernard shear opticians optical shop\" src=\"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/bernard-shear-opticians-vintage-collection--150x150-circle.jpg\" alt=\"bernard shear opticians optical shop\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"no-lazyload\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h4>Bernard Shear\u00a0<\/h4>\r\n<p>\u00a0From an early age, Bernard Shear was deeply inspired by his father&#8217;s entrepreneurial spirit and technical skill.\u00a0 Following in his father&#8217;s footsteps, motivated by his legacy, he pursued the field of optics with equal passion and determination.\u00a0 Due to Bernard&#8217;s unwavering commitment to quality and personalized care, he built a loyal customer base.\u00a0Continuing his journey, Bernard later opened his own optical store in Pimlico, Maryland.\u00a0 In turn, the expansion marked the beginning of a second-generation legacy.\u00a0 In 1957, the master optician founded Bernard Shear Opticians and with the dedicated support of his wife, Betty, the business flourished.\u00a0 Hence, the Shear family&#8217;s impact on the optical industry was further solidified.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Harvey &amp; Eileen Shear\" src=\"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/team-circle.jpg\" alt=\"master optician Harvey Shear and Eileen Shear\" width=\"222\" height=\"173\" class=\"no-lazyload\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h4>Harvey &amp; Eileen Shear\u00a0<\/h4>\r\n<p>After Bernard Shear&#8217;s passing in 1968 at age 46, Harvey and Eileen Shear carried the family legacy forward.\u00a0 As a third-generation master optician, Harvey took over the business and moved it to Reisterstown Road in Owings Mills.\u00a0 Together, Harvey and Eileen expanded their vision beyond the local community.\u00a0 They traveled internationally, attending trade shows and meeting small eyewear vendors.\u00a0 Over the years, they traveled to international trade shows in Europe and meeting top eyewear vendors.\u00a0 Therefore, these global connections introduced unique and exceptional eyewear to their customers, further elevating the brand&#8217;s reputation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"master optician harvey shear and optometrist dr. melissa b shear\" src=\"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/HARVEY-AND-MELISSA-SHEAR-scaled-circle.jpeg\" alt=\"master optician harvey shear and optometrist dr. melissa b shear\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1080\" class=\"no-lazyload\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h4>Dr. Melissa Shear, O.D.<\/h4>\r\n<p><strong>Optometrist<\/strong>Eventually, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jewishtimes.com\/melissa-shear-chizuk-amuno-member-continues-family-tradition-in-eye-care\/\">Dr. Melissa Shear, OD<\/a>, proudly continued her family&#8217;s legacy into its fourth generation.\u00a0 After graduating <em>magna cum laude <\/em>from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gwu.edu\/\">The George Washington University<\/a> in 1997, Dr. Melissa Shear, OD, joined Bernard Shear Opticians.\u00a0 Immediately, she brought a new level of clinical expertise to the practice.\u00a0 By 2002 she earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sunyopt.edu\/\">SUNY State College of Optometry<\/a>.\u00a0Furthermore, Dr. Shear completed her residency in ocular disease and refractive and ocular surgery the following year.\u00a0 Her residency was completed at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.omnieyespecialists.com\/\">OMNI Eye Specialists<\/a> in Baltimore, Maryland in 2003. Dr. Shear officially joined the family business in 2006 as its first residing optometrist.\u00a0 Expanding Bernard Shear Opticians services to include comprehensive primary eye care and contact lens fittings.\u00a0 On January 2, 2020, Dr. Shear led the move to a sleek, modern facility on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville.\u00a0 Ultimately, this move reflected the practice&#8217;s growth and reaffirmed the Shear family&#8217;s commitment to innovation, excellence, and personalized care.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Lab manager and optician Andrea Brown-Levenson\" src=\"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/andrea-1-circle.jpg\" alt=\"Lab manager and optician Andrea Brown-Levenson\" width=\"218\" height=\"218\" class=\"no-lazyload\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h4>Andrea Brown-Levenson<\/h4>\r\n<p><strong>Lab Manager<\/strong>Additionally, Andrea Brown-Levenson has been an essential part of the Bernard Shear Opticians team since joining the practice in 2004.\u00a0 As Lab Manager, she brings specialized expertise in manufacturing eyeglasses and repairing eyewear.\u00a0 Therefore, Andrea ensures that every pair meets the highest standards of craftmanship and precision.\u00a0 Over the years, Andrea has played a key role in maintaining the quality and reliability that customers have come to expect.\u00a0 Ultimately, her dedication has helped us remain a trusted source for expertly crafted optical products.<strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"amanda hellman optician inside optical shop\" src=\"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/ah-2024-august-rotated-circle.jpeg\" alt=\"amanda hellman optician inside optical shop\" width=\"1280\" height=\"960\" class=\"no-lazyload\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h4>Amanda Hellman<\/h4>\r\n<p>Dispensing<strong> Optician\u00a0<\/strong>First, Amanda Hellman was recruited for her outstanding customer service and genuine passion for helping others in 2011.\u00a0 Next,\u00a0 Amanda&#8217;s natural ability\u00a0 to connect with clients creates a personalized, comfortable experience.\u00a0 Therefore, this made her an essential part of Bernard Shear Opticians quickly. Under the expert guidance of Master Optician Harvey Shear, Amanda trained extensively and developed her technical skills.\u00a0 Ultimately becoming a qualified dispensing optician.\u00a0 Since then, Amanda&#8217;s reputation for precision and care complements Bernard Shear Opticians&#8217; legacy of high standards and warm professionalism.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/\">Today, Bernard Shear Opticians<\/a> proudly stands in its fourth generation still family-owned and operated.\u00a0 With deep roots in Baltimore, the business has earned a reputation on trust.\u00a0 Over time, we&#8217;ve continued to serve our community with the same care and expertise.\u00a0 Since then, we&#8217;ve grown from handcrafted beginnings to advanced optical solutions.\u00a0 Ultimately, our legacy is more than just vision.\u00a0 It&#8217;s about honoring tradition-and looking ahead to the future.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"fourth generation family business since 1938 bernard shear opticians\" src=\"https:\/\/bernardshear.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fourth-generation-family-business-since-1938-bernard-shear-opticians-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"optical shop and owners of bernard shear opticians\" width=\"810\" height=\"1080\" class=\"no-lazyload\" \/><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Story Our story, Opticians, at Bernard Shear Opticians goes back to the 1930&#8217;s.\u00a0 Four generations of eye care professionals in Baltimore, Maryland.\u00a0 First was the master optician Samuel shear then Bernard shear then came Harvey shear.\u00a0 Our stories most recent update is our residing optometrist Dr. Melissa B. Shear. Samuel Shear\u00a0 Initially, Samuel Shear&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2295,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-166","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Our Story | Optical Legacy by Bernard Shear Opticians<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the Optical Legacy of Bernard Shear Opticians. Explore four generations of eye care excellence. 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