Apprenez à connaitre les gens derrière vos lunettes. L’opticien du jour : l’homme des Îles
Name : Gino Cormier
Nickname : Doctor Spock or FSK
Years of experience : 31 years
Territory : St-Michel – Repentigny – Lachine – Lasalle – Rawdon – Berthierville – St-Gabriel – Lavaltrie – Joliette – St-Côme – Mile End
Si vous êtes un client du Bonhomme et que vous avez été servi par Gino Cormier, vous le savez déjà. Avec son accent des Îles de la Madeleine et sa bonne humeur contagieuse, il est presque impossible de le confondre avec un autre de nos collègues. Si le vrai Docteur Spock est mi-humain, mi-vulcain, notre Gino quant à lui est 100% madelinot, et ça ne prend que quelques minutes pour s’en apercevoir. Comment un homme des Îles s’est retrouvé chez un opticien oeuvrant dans le communautaire avec un bureau principal dans le Mile-End ? Il est grand le mystère de la foi.
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN OPTICIAN?
I am a nurse by profession. This is the job I had in les iles de la Madeleine. One day, my sister asked me to pick up glasses for my godson. I went there and was shocked by how expensive it was for kids. I paid, and then I went home and searched through the college guidebook to find this particular field of study. I then moved to Montréal and studied at CÉGEP Édouard Montpetit from 1987 to 1990. Afterwards, I came back home and opened my own store. Since there was only one other at the time, my goal was to sell glasses for less. That's what I did for 23 years.
HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING AT BONHOMME À LUNETTES?
I knew Philippe because he came to replace me during my vacation back in 2001. He stayed for a while after I got back so I got to know him. Years later, I sold my office and moved to Montreal because my daughters were coming to study here. At first, I was doing contracts here and there and I met Philippe again. It was in 2015 when Bonhomme à lunettes really began to grow. I was doin one last contract before taking a break but Philippe called me on the Friday morning to tell me that he needed me. I've been here ever since. It's been 6 years!
IS THERE AN INTERESTING STORY BEHIND YOUR NICKNAME?
It's another silly thing from Philippe. It's a character from Star Wars I think (Star Trek Gino. Star Trek!). C’est relié au fait que j’ai les deux pieds sur terre et la tête dans les étoiles. Du moins je pense que c’est ça. On sait jamais trop avec Philippe.
VOIS-TU UN LIEN ENTRE CE QUE TU FAISAIS AUX ÎLES ET CE QUI SE PASSE ICI ?
Yes. There's a lot of former owners here. When you're the owner and the name Gino Cormier is on the front door, you want the job done right. But whether you are an owner or not, older or younger, we all have a legacy. With this superb roster of opticians who work here and our excellent support staff, the work is meticulous and well done. There is also the notion of making glasses accessible. I used to do it back home and we still do it here. That's why I'm still here. It works for me. With the pandemic and all, I believe that our mission takes on an even higher importance because many people count their pennies and have to work with a much tighter budget.
WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER ONE ADVICE FOR CLIENTS?
Be sure to bring your prescription, all the necessary information, and your good mood. We take care of the rest!