Andre Smith, owner of Ashburton Opticians, recently retired after 35 years in the business.
Andre Smith began his career as an optician in 1971, at the age of 17. (Courtesy photo)
Smith began his career in at the age of 17, working at his family’s business, Smith and Smith, under the instruction of his aunt, Helen Hitchens. Smith went on to study Optical Science at the University of Maryland, and opened Ashburton Opticians with his aunt in 1981.
The well-respected business is located on Liberty Heights Avenue in Baltimore, and has been meeting the optical needs of residents for more than 30 years. Smith even received a letter of commendation from President Barack Obama, which he described as, “One of the highlights of being in the business.”
Smith, who retired on June 30, is looking forward to helping his wife Joyce promote her new novel, “Cut Like a Knife.” After devoting decades to the business, Smith told the AFRO that he’ll be traveling, running more races, and “and doing a lot of fishing,” now that he is retired.
Smith’s brother, Kevin, will take over the business.