Sunglasses Store Reopens In Annapolis With New Ocean City-Based Owners: Report

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A downtown Annapolis sunglasses shop reopened recently under new ownership.

Shades of the Bay, located at 136 Main St., is now owned by Sunglass City.

The Capital Gazette reported Thursday that David and Ruth Cohen opened Sunglass City about 18 years ago on the Ocean City boardwalk. Annapolis is the company's sixth location, the Capital Gazette said, noting that Sunglass City also expanded within Ocean City and outward to Florida and New Jersey.

Shades of the Bay had closed in December 2024 after the owner retired. The Capital Gazette said the shop reopened around the end of January.

"We're thrilled to announce our newest location in Annapolis," Sunglass City said on Facebook in January. "We're bringing a fresh vision to the heart of the city! Ready to redefine eyewear elegance with us?!"

Avi Cohen, David and Ruth's son, now runs most of the business. He told the Capital Gazette a renovation to add more luxury sunglasses and reflect a "Miami aesthetic" is nearly complete.

"I loved the idea of keeping something that meant something to people in the city. … I'm keeping the same staff; I'm keeping the name. I want to just kind of give it maybe an update, a little bit of a remodel, a little bit of a freshen up, and kind of keep that same kind of happy mentality and local kind of love and community," Avi Cohen told the Capital Gazette.

Read the Capital Gazette's full story to learn why former owner Linda Mann, who sold shades downtown for 28 years, thinks Sunglass City will "bring that family, community." Only subscribers of The Capital are able to access the article, however.

Anybody with an Anne Arundel County Public Library card number can read The Capital's story at this link by searching "Shades of the Bay."

Related: Sunglasses Store Closing Downtown Annapolis Shop