Biz Buzz: Massive growth prompts expansion project for local eye clinic
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Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.
BIZ BRIEF
IDAHO FALLS
Expansion project underway at 10-year-old eye clinic in Idaho Falls
IDAHO FALLS – A vision and eyecare clinic in Idaho Falls is expanding after 10 years of business.
Dr. Lisa Porter gathered with her team at A-B-See Vision Care on Wednesday morning for the groundbreaking of an expansion project of about 3,000 square feet behind and in front of the clinic at 1480 East Lincoln Road.
The clinic originally occupied a portion of its current location but has grown to include the entire building. Porter tells EastIdahoNews.com the business continues to grow, and this expansion will allow it to better serve patients.
“With the expansion, we were able to bring on more doctors. So now we have three doctors. We went from four employees to 25 employees over the last 10 years, which has been really exciting,” Porter says. “We’re bringing on new technology, more exam rooms. We’re able to provide more space for our patients … to breathe and be comfortable and that’s been really exciting.”
The expansion will include a new breakroom for office conferences, new auxiliary testing rooms, specialized pediatrics rooms and three large family exam rooms.
“We’ll be able to accommodate six to eight people in those exam rooms at a time so Mom and Dad don’t feel like they have to leave their children,” says Porter. “Those family exam rooms are probably the most exciting thing about doing this renovation.”
Construction will get underway immediately and is expected to be complete in September. A grand reopening will be held to celebrate.
Porter and her husband opened the clinic a decade ago after Lisa completed optometry school. She got her first pair of glasses when she was 6 years old, something she describes as “life-changing” and highly influential in her decision to pursue a career in eye care.
“School was really hard for me, and the minute I could see, I went from special ed to the top of my class. From then on, I knew what I wanted to do. Every time I see those children and I give them a pair of glasses, it’s life-changing,” Porter says, tearing up.
Porter says it’s rewarding to help improve a child’s quality of life and watch their ability to learn and develop increase. She especially enjoys helping kids with Down syndrome and autism.
With the expansion, she’s looking forward to providing a fun and relaxing experience while continuing to provide “exceptional care” for patients.
“I want it to be easy and fun for parents and kids. I want everyone to have a good experience,” Porter says.
A-B-See Vision will remain open while construction is going on. It is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, with an 8 p.m. closing time Wednesday and Thursday. It’s open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and one Saturday a month.
Visit the website or Facebook page for more information.
BIZ BITS
Local artist will help promote growth in downtown Idaho Falls
IDAHO FALLS – The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation is proud to announce Gibby Smede has been hired as the social media/marketing specialist. Smede will be responsible for communications and social media campaigns to promote downtown Idaho Falls. Smede, a local artist who is well-known in the creative arts world of Idaho Falls, is the creator of Pugsslane Alley in downtown and joins IFDDC in an exceptional time of growth and progress downtown.
Construction projects over the last four years have been well underway downtown with the completion of The Broadway development, The Downtown Event Center and the Bonneville Apartments at the north end of the downtown footprint on Constitution.
A handful of new businesses plan to open in mid-to-late-summer 2021, and construction projects that began before the COVID 19 pandemic are making good progress. Smede’s work will be focused on the mission of IFDDC to advance historical downtown as the regional center for commerce, culture and leisure activities for visitors.
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