Warby Parker’s New Uptown Store Is Old-Fashioned In The Best Way Possible

It's somewhat sad that the only type of mail we get is bank statements and underwear catalogs. Gone are the days of breathlessly anticipating notes from a loved one, life-changing offer letters, or postcards from far-away friends. We can't help but marvel at those glass mail-delivery tubes whenever we find ourselves in a NYC pre-war building. Having your newspaper transported to you through a tube? That must have been fun.

With Warby Parker's new storefront on the Upper East Side, we get to enjoy that old-fashioned system once again. The merchandise at this location will transported via a pneumatic tube system. Eyewear will be pumped from basement inventory into the hands of sales associates on the ground floor. Sounds just like a scene out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory — but with glasses and monocles!

The use of this old-timey delivery method is an interesting choice for Warby Parker, given the brand's reputation for cutting-edge designs and an unconventional Internet retail model. But, with a walk around the store, it's not hard to see the founders' deep respect for history: The space is modeled after iconic New York brownstones and train stations. Even the reading material is classic — shoppers can catch up on issues of The Paris Review and Harper’s while they wait for their frames.

The new location will open for business on March 22. We can't wait to experience the interesting delivery method first-hand.