Family-run optical center celebrates 50 years (includes video story)

In 1974, Ana and Serapio Cepero opened a small counter at Ana’s father’s drugstore in Miami. What was inside? Glasses of all kinds. In the years since, the humble kiosk has expanded into a standalone optical center dedicated to serving its community.

This past weekend, Cepero Eyecare Center on Coral Way celebrated its 50th anniversary. Ana and Serapio’s son, Dr. Ernesto Cepero, now runs the business on Coral Way, keeping the family tradition of helping others alive.

“I think how you treat people,” said Ernesto Ceperos said whern asked for the secret to competing with larger chain stores. “I have always made it a point to always treat people like if they were my cousin, my mom or my grandmother sitting in the chair, and so it’s all about how you treat people and that is what people remember.”

Added Ana: “I have been through a lot of personal hurdles while keeping the optical alive. I am extremely proud of this and what I have achieved.”

Emma Alonso is a senior majoring in Digital Broadcast Media. She is passionate about photography and videography. After graduation she hopes to work in the photojournalism field, more specifically on the sidelines of an NFL or NBA team capturing stories through her camera.