Founded in 2018 by Chris Wheaton, North Optical was established to share our passion for hand crafted, quality eyewear.
Chris is a Licensed Optician with well over a decade of experience in the field. Prior to opening North Optical, he resided in Boston, where he worked in every aspect of the operations of an optical shop. This array of knowledge — from working in a lab where he physically manufactured lenses to managing multiple optical shops and working with medical professionals — distinguishes Chris, and North Optical as an establishment, that finds integrity in every aspect of his profession. This fidelity and respect for community is mirrored in his personal life as he and his wife, Erin, and their two beautiful children live nearby in Portland.
Andrew Scripter is an Optician and the Creative Director of North Optical.
Andrew has been involved with the shop from the beginning, lending his extensive experience in printmaking and design to establish North Optical’s visual identity. He continued to facilitate the ongoing visual art programming and joined us as a full-time Optician in 2022.
Beyond North Optical, Andrew runs Wing Club, a creative studio specializing in collaborative print and design projects. His work can be found across New England and he remains a fixture in the local printmaking community.
Audrey Smoak is an Optician with a background in sustainability, visual design and creative project management.
Audrey joins us from the Carolinas with a recent degree from Indiana University in Sustainability and Business. Since joining North Optical in April 2024, she has become an integral part of the team - helping clients step out of their comfort zone and contributing to efforts that reduce the shop’s carbon footprint. Outside of work, Audrey is passionate about coral restoration, climate communication, and poetic expression.
