ABOUT US

100+ years and 4 generations of family ownership; we are Calgary’s oldest independent optical store.

Our business was founded by Dr. E.S. Tharp as Consolidated Optical, located in the Leeson & Lineham Block building (209 -8th Avenue SW) in 1916 in Calgary, Alberta. His son, B.J.S. Tharp became a doctor of Optometry after serving in the Canadian Navy in WWII. He founded Chinook Optical in 1960 and opened an examination office + optical dispensary in Chinook Center when the mall first opened. Our business remained there for more than 60 years. In 2012 we relocated to our current location in the Britannia Shopping Plaza. Biba Tharp, BFA (oxon), MeDes (ID), ran the business for more than three decades as a licensed optician and retired in 2020. Her daughter, Anna Niemczewski, BFA, BA, MeDes (ID), the fourth generation and also a licensed optician (who has unofficially been working in the store since she was eight years old), took over the business in 2016.

Chinook Optical is a small and independent purveyor of fine eyewear in Calgary, Alberta. We are proud of our history serving the Calgary community since 1916 and look forward to the next century of eye care in our city. Our exceptional team of licensed Opticians and Doctors of Optometry are continuing our tradition of excellence in health service and incredible eyewear for all.