HISTORY OF THE NAME

"I bought an existing optical store in late 1991 and changed the name to Stewart Optical. I came up with the old Stewart Optical logo by copying a logo my father used in his accounting business. My thoughts then were to have my name on the business as hopefully people would recognize that and support me. In April of 1996, I joined Stewart optical with another business and formed a local business for almost 25 years. After being forced to make a decision, I left there and with my son Tyler. We returned to the Stewart Optical as the name of the new business. Our thoughts are the same as they were in 1991: having our name on the business, we are hoping people recognize it and with support us again."

- Jim Stewart, Owner
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JIM STEWART

I started in the optical business at age 15. I worked in an optical lab after school. After I graduated in 1979 I was offered a job in the retail side of the optical industry. I started the Optician apprenticeship program in the fall of 1980 and became a licensed optician in 1983. I have enjoyed the optical industry ever since and have seen so many changes and trends.

I am a past president of the Medicine Hat Rotary Club, Former board member of the CORE Association, and past Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce ambassador.

I have coached my sons in baseball and ball hockey. I love sports, both watching (Jays, Raptors, Riders, and Medicine Hat Tigers) and playing several of them: squash, golf, and slow pitch. I still play slow pitch in the Medicine Hat Senior Slow Pitch League and travel to tournaments. I try to play as much golf as possible and enjoy playing senior golf scrambles now. I would like to do more hiking and relaxing in my other spare time.

TYLER STEWART

Like my father I started working at his optical office when I was 15. After a couple of summer jobs at the golf course in the Elkwater, after graduation in 2016 I started full time on the retail side of the optical business.

Like dad I love sports both watching and playing. I played high school baseball for CHHS for 4 years then returned to help coach for 3 years.

I love to play golf now and am now better than dad. I will be coaching the special Olympics golf team. When not doing sports, I like to go camping with my friends.