Today’s post features Jessica McClain, owner of Black and White Look Optical (1514 U St NW)

Tell us about your business! When was it founded and what inspired you to start your business?

We are a full service optical store, offering eye exams and selling eyeglasses. We opened in 2016. Our office is a franchise from my families’ business in Detroit Michigan. I come from a family of opticians!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a mother of 1 child and a wife. I have been living in the DMV since 2012. I became an optician in 2009 and it’s all I have wanted to do since high school.

What is unique about your business?

Woman-owned, women optometrists, and we accept more major insurances from DC Medicaid to Blue Cross

Are you still operating during COVID-19? In what ways?

Yes, we are open shorter hours.

How can the community support you right now?

I would love if people could share my services on their social media platform, email list, or tell a friend about us!

What is your favorite thing about this community?

I love the diversity, I work with lots of seniors and millennials.

If you could tell all of the residents in the U Street Main Street area one thing, what would it be?

Come see us for your eye exam!


Often when people hear the term ‘Main Street’, they think about business corridors. But many people do not think about the stress and loneliness that many business owners experience while navigating the hurdles of entrepreneurship and running a business—especially during an unprecedented pandemic. Main Street programs all over the country work to make sure that business owners have an advocate and support system so that your favorite local coffee shop or tailor can keep their doors open. Help us continue doing our work by chipping in $10, $100, $1,000.