Iacon president, Jeff Obstfeld, tells GlobeSt.com that the Celebrity Eyeworks Studio store will be remodeled and re-branded under the Sunglass Icon name, showcasing eyewear worn by celebrities and athletes. "It's a one-of-a-kind location because of the type of clientele and the traffic it gets," said Obstfeld, whose not disclosing the purchase price.

The acquisition was even more significant, Obstfeld said, because it allowed the eyewear firm to forge a relationship with one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. Iacon, a wholly-owned subsidiary of eyeglass maker, Oakley, has locations ranging from 168-sf kiosks to 2,000-sf inline shops, all located in upscale malls, primarily in the Sunbelt Region. Its sunglasses sell as much as $700.

Obstfeld said Iacon, which opened 23 outlets last year, expects to open an additional 20 stores in 2003. Among them will be three stores in Houston, slated to open next week and a Denver store, which opens in April. "We're picking only the best real estate in the country and only the best locations," he said of the ventures.