We started Benny’s as a passion project. Searching for reading glasses that were both fashionable and, dare we say, “heirloom quality”, proved fruitless. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, so we decided to create our own. This turned out to be no small feat, but one we’re proud to have undertaken. Sometimes you must trust the magic of new beginnings.

What does Benjamin Franklin have to do with reading glasses?

Ben was known for being a revolutionary, a visionary and a creative genius. A brilliant inventor and avid reader, Ben dreamt up practical, wearable magnifying spectacles back in 1784. Thanks, Ben.

Where does Italy come into this?

The Italians know a thing or two about la bella vita. They did, after all, give the world gelato, pizza and wine. They are also known for their craftsmanship of eyewear. We scoured the countryside to find the most skilled and fastidious artisans with decades of experience creating handmade eyewear using the finest materials with care and passion. The result? Quality that is honed, cultivated, and mastered by fathers who pass along their gift of knowledge to the next generation.

We really couldn’t think of anything we loved more than pure American ingenuity paired with brilliant Italian craftsmanship. Thus, Benny’s was born. 

Plus, when you buy from a small business an actual person does a happy dance.