Announcements

Company Update

Dear Boise community,

As of March 2025, the downtown retail shop is permanently closed.

Matthew, here to express my gratitude to everyone who’s contributed to Lumos Optical over the past five years. Opening a retail shop during the onset of a global pandemic was a challenging endeavor, but we persevered and cultivated cherished relationships with the business community and organizations that support minority-owned small businesses.

Lumos Optical, as a company, is undergoing a business restructuring. During this transition, I aim to minimize disruptions to our customers. This new business model presents opportunities for growth and enhanced benefits for our customers. However, I acknowledge that there will be challenges as I navigate and implement these changes. I’ll keep everyone informed as these changes unfold.

Now, I’d like to address the reason behind the decision to close the retail shop. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it was necessary. Let me outline three key factors contributing to this change.

Firstly, our five-year lease agreement expired, and I chose not to renew it. The increasing overhead expenses for maintaining a physical location have become increasingly difficult to justify.

Secondly, the market has evolved, and the trade war initiated by the Trump administration has had a ripple effect on our foreign partners. Tariffs are essentially taxes imposed on consumers. While we’ve always strived to provide quality products at reasonable prices, I’ll continue to offer competitive pricing. I’m actively seeking new contracts with our foreign partners and exploring partnerships with local businesses.

Last, this is a personal matter. I’ve been running the company solo for the past three years. I’ve always been dedicated to its success, especially to the incredible people I’ve had the privilege of knowing and serving. However, in the last six to nine months, I’ve been unable to provide the level of customer service that’s crucial to our company’s foundation. I sincerely apologize to any customers who haven’t received the service, commitment, and follow-through they deserve.

A combination of burnout, personal challenges, and prioritizing my family’s well-being has led me to make a difficult decision. I’m moving to Donnelly, Idaho, to take care of my father.

Now, let’s discuss the impact on customers. In the short term, I’ll be managing the business from my home in Boise. I won’t be taking any appointments in April. I’m taking some time off to spend with my family, which is much-needed for me to recharge and refocus. My primary focus moving forward will be on serving our current customers.

With all this in mind, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you, the customer. Your support has been the source of immense joy and fulfillment, allowing me to do this job for the past five years. I remain committed to Lumos, and I hope you’ll continue this optical journey with me.

-Matthew Montoya

Co-founder of Lumos Optical