Frameri closed down on January 16th
Frameri, the innovative startup that gained fame through its appearance on the television program “Shark Tank” in 2015 for its unique interchangeable frames and lenses, has made the difficult decision to cease its operations. This announcement was conveyed in a letter sent to its valued customers on Friday. This decision comes shortly after the company’s previous announcement of its intentions to expand from its initial Cincinnati showroom to other major cities. In the letter penned by CEO Sam Pellerito, he expressed,
“On January 16, 2018, Frameri temporarily closed its doors. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your unwavering support of our vision throughout the years. From the outset, we have endeavored to create a product that would make you proud. While we may not have fully achieved our personal goals, we take pride in knowing that our product has made a lasting impact on the eyewear industry, and we are grateful for having been a part of it.”
What Happened To Pair Eyewear After Shark Tank Pitch?
Pellerito, who initially joined forces with co-founders Konrad Billetz and Kevin Habich approximately four years ago during Frameri’s inception, assumed the role of CEO in March of the previous year when Billetz departed to oversee the launch of a solar energy startup in North Carolina, as reported by VMAIL.
Frameri gained significant recognition within the optical sector following its feature on an episode of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” a platform that showcased emerging businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking investment. Beyond their Cincinnati showroom, Frameri had established partnerships with 28 optical retail practices across 15 different states by mid-2017, as revealed by Pellerito last year. These partnerships entailed the optical retailers carrying Frameri products, including frames and lenses.
Moreover, Frameri had forged a notable partnership with Hoya Vision Care that commenced in 2016.
During mid-2017, Pellerito shared with VMAIL that Frameri was actively pursuing an expanded retail presence beyond Cincinnati, with Dallas emerging as a likely location for a standalone Frameri showroom. Additionally, the company was exploring potential sites in fashionable neighborhoods in both Chicago and Brooklyn at the time.