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GIANT EAGLE GETS INTO EYEGLASS BUSINESS

PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle here is taking a close look at the eyeglass business.The regional chain has formed a partnership with upscale specialty eyeglass retailer Eyetique, also of Pittsburgh, to open 1,500-square-foot, mid-priced Visura Eyecare shops within or near its supermarkets on a test basis, a spokesman confirmed.The first shop opened near a store in the McIntyre Square shopping center in

PITTSBURGH -- Giant Eagle here is taking a close look at the eyeglass business.

The regional chain has formed a partnership with upscale specialty eyeglass retailer Eyetique, also of Pittsburgh, to open 1,500-square-foot, mid-priced Visura Eyecare shops within or near its supermarkets on a test basis, a spokesman confirmed.

The first shop opened near a store in the McIntyre Square shopping center in McCandless Township, Pa., last month. The second will open next year in the Village Square store in Bethel Park, Pa., which is undergoing a major remodeling, a spokesman said. In all, four Visura shops will be open by mid-2005 in the Pittsburgh area: two in stores, and two freestanding, he said.

"Giant Eagle believes that Visura is another convenient offering that meets the ongoing demand for enhanced, quality eye care," said Kevin Svigley, the chain's vice president, marketing. "We view the eye care Visura offers as a natural extension to the products and services we provide to help our customers live healthier lives."

Giant Eagle has an undisclosed financial interest in Visura, said a spokesman.

Norman Childs, owner of Eyetique, and his business partner, Joe Farina, are the principals behind Visura. Farina is chief executive officer of Visura. Although they would not comment for this story, they told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette they plan to expand Visura at a rate of eight stores per year.