A New Chapter in an Ancaster Heritage Building
Eyecare on Wilson Street since 2009
Some places have a way of calling you back.
Hanley's began in 2009, when optician Krysten Adams Lokmanis opened a boutique eyewear destination in the heart of Ancaster. Just weeks later, Dr. Kristyn Pozzer became the first optometrist to care for patients within the space.
What began as a shared first chapter grew into years of friendship, family connection, and, eventually, a full-circle return. Today, Dr. Pozzer is honoured to carry Hanley's forward as owner — preserving the warmth and style Krysten created while growing the practice into a full-scope optometry clinic rooted in advanced eye care, personal connection, and beautifully curated independent eyewear.
-
Hanley's was founded in 2009 by optician Krysten Adams Lokmanis, who had a vision of bringing something truly special to her hometown of Ancaster. Growing up surrounded by entrepreneurs, Krysten understood the care, creativity, and personal connection that go into building a meaningful local business. Following in the footsteps of her mother, a longtime boutique owner herself, Krysten set out to bring that same sense of discovery and personal service to eyewear.
From the beginning, Hanley's was never meant to feel like a traditional optical store. Krysten travelled to Milan, Paris, New York, and beyond to hand-select beautiful, hard-to-find frames from independent designers around the world — pieces chosen not only for their quality and craftsmanship, but for the way they could help each person express their own style.
Dr. Pozzer began seeing patients at Hanley's just weeks after the boutique first opened its doors. She and Krysten worked side by side during that first year, helping shape the early vision of Hanley's as a place where boutique, luxury eyewear and thoughtful eye care could come together.
The following year, Dr. Pozzer moved into full-time practice in Burlington, where she spent the next fifteen years caring for patients and families across all stages of life. During that time, she deepened her clinical experience in comprehensive eye care, dry eye, family optometry, and the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, while building the kind of long-term patient relationships that come from caring for the same families year after year.
But her connection to Hanley's never really ended.
Over the years, Dr. Pozzer and Krysten remained close friends. Their families stayed connected, their children grew up around the same time, and Hanley's continued to be a familiar part of Dr. Pozzer's life in Ancaster — whether she was stopping in to see the newest frame collections or stepping in to care for patients when the boutique was between optometrists.
Having grown up in Dundas and lived in Ancaster since 2010, Dr. Pozzer has long considered this community home. So when Krysten made the decision in 2025 to sell Hanley's, the opportunity to carry the boutique forward felt deeply meaningful.
For Dr. Pozzer, becoming the owner of Hanley's is more than a professional next step. It is a full-circle moment.
Today, Hanley's Eyewear Boutique & Optometry continues to honour Krysten's original vision while growing into its next chapter: a full-scope optometry clinic rooted in advanced eye care, personal connection, and beautifully curated independent eyewear.
“I started my career at Hanley's, so being given the opportunity to carry on its legacy as owner is incredibly meaningful to me. Krysten created something truly special here, and I feel honoured to continue building on that foundation — with the same warmth, care, and attention to detail that have always made Hanley's feel like home.”
Kristyn Pozzer
Not your typical optical shop.
Step inside Hanley’s and you’ll notice it doesn’t feel like a typical optical shop. The boutique is set within the Carriage House, a heritage stone building in the heart of Ancaster dating back to 1868, where historic character meets a warm, modern space made for browsing at your own pace.
Every frame on our shelves is chosen by hand. We seek out independent designers from around the world — brands known for their craftsmanship, quality, and unique point of view — so you can find eyewear that feels personal, distinctive, and far from ordinary.
And because much of our lens work is done in-house, including our own edging lab, we can offer a level of quality, care, and turnaround that larger retailers can’t. From the latest digital progressive and single-vision lenses to premium coatings, your eyewear is finished with precision and attention to detail from start to finish.
