Karim Hakimi
Karim Hakimi (Persian: کریم حکیمی) (born 1933)[1] is an Iranian Canadian entrepreneur and optician, known for founding Hakim Optical, a large chain of eyeglass stores across Canada.
Karim Hakimi | |
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Born | |
Nationality | Iranian Canadian |
Occupation | Entrepreneur, optician |
Known for | Founder of Hakim Optical |
Early life
Hakimi was born in Iran. At the age of five, his father died, forcing Hakimi to leave school to work to support his family.[2] He found work in Iran grinding discarded window glass into lenses for magnifying glasses and eyeglasses. This experience taught him much about the techniques and equipment needed by an optician.[2]
At 14, Hakimi attended night school to complete his elementary education, learning to read and write.[3] Later, following service in the Iranian navy,[4] he immigrated first to Germany and then to Switzerland, where he furthered his education in the optician's craft.[4]
Career
Hakimi finally settled in Toronto, Ontario, Canada where he found work in the field of ophthalmic lens grinding. He saved his money until he could start his own shop.[3]
In 1967, Hakimi opened his own lens-grinding laboratory in the former Elwood Hotel in Toronto, buying and rebuilding equipment from a shuttered facility in Chicago. At first, he sold his lenses door-to-door, directly to optician shops. Soon he was able to save enough money to open his first retail shop, selling glasses by day and working nights to fulfil orders.[3]
At first, Hakimi offered glasses for $8/pair ($12 for bifocals), which far undersold any competitors. He was able to raise his prices 50% from this starting point while still underselling his competitors and assuring continued demand for his glasses.[4]
From this beginning as a single retail outlet, Hakimi has built Hakim Optical into a national chain of over 150 outlets with over 600 employees serving the eastern provinces of Canada.[2]
Awards and recognition
Based on Hakimi's "rags-to-riches" success, he has been widely recognized as an outstanding immigrant to Canada.
- 2005: He was knighted by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in a Ceremony at Queen's Park in Toronto.
- 2008: Recognized by the City of Toronto by renaming Scarborough Street to Hakimi Street in his honor[3]
- 2011: Named one of Canada's Top 25 Immigrants by Canadian Immigrant[2]
- 2012: Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal[3]
- 2014: City of Toronto renamed a portion of Lebovic Avenue as Hakimi Avenue in honour of Karim Hakimi.[5] At the northwest corner of Hakimi and Eglinton Avenue is a Hakim Optical store.
- 2016: Lebovic LRT station is renamed Hakimi-Lebovic to include the street to which the station will be located[6]
References
- http://globalnews.ca/news/2118013/founder-of-hakim-optical-apologizes-after-being-caught-stopping-in-a-bike-lane/
- "Top Canadian Immigrants 2011: The Winners: Karim Hakimi". Canadian Immigrant. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- "People: Karim Hakimi". Persian Tribune. 17 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- Skinner, Justin (1 June 2011). "North Yorker Karim Hakimi named one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants". Inside Toronto. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- https://www.thestar.com/life/2014/03/20/hakimi_ave_honours_hakim_optical_founder_street_names.html
- https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2016/01/14/eglinton-crosstown-station-name-sparks-contentious-metrolinx-debate.html