BLACKWOOD, N.J.—Refac Optical Group’s U.S. Vision chain, which specializes in leased optical departments, will take over the operation of 156 leased departments in BJ’s Wholesale (NYSE: BJ) warehouse clubs, effective March 17.

The BJ’s Optical departments were previously operated by Luxottica Group’s (NYSE: LUX) Luxottica Retail division. Luxottica executives announced on Feb. 7 that the company would let its license agreement with Natick, Mass.-based BJ’s lapse.

A spokesperson for BJ’s told VMail the optical departments will be operated by Luxottica through March 15. “They will all close on the 16th to transition over to U.S. Vision, then reopen on March 17,” she explained. The warehouse-club chain currently operates 177 BJ's Wholesale Clubs in 16 states; 156 of those clubs have optical.

During Luxottica’s Investor Day program early this month, the positioning of the BJ’s Wholesale optical departments was described as “not in alignment with the Licensed Brands strategy.” Said Kerry Bradley, chief operating officer of Luxottica Retail, at that event, “It’s a nice business, but not a major one for us.”

Luxottica inherited the BJ’s Wholesale lease agreement when it acquired Cole Vision and Cole’s Licensed Brands operation in late 2004.

Dave Pierson, Refac Optical Group’s president and chief executive officer, confirmed that this agreement represents U.S. Vision’s first leased departments in a warehouse club host environment. The addition of the BJ’s units brings Refac’s store count to 678 locations, according to Pierson.