In October 1987, Jamestown area natives Steve Strickland and wife, Barbara Jean, returned to Jamestown from Las Vegas to start their own company and create a few jobs.
Now, 25 years later, their business is well-established and thriving, having adapted through the necessary changes that a quarter-century inevitably brings.
"In the beginning we were located in an industrial zone and provided only wholesale services to area eye care professionals. Now we are in a retail area and can also serve the public at large," the Stricklands said.
Though computerization has whittled the staff from eight in 1989 to four in 2012, all four have been at Strickland Optical Lab since that time.
"It has been wonderful to avoid the headache of employee turnover and retraining. Our clients get the benefit of more than a century of combined optical experience overall, and working with people who have become our dear friends over the years makes for such a pleasant work day," Mrs. Strickland said.
Strickland Optical Lab processes prescription eyeglass lenses, industrial safety eyewear and provides hundreds of frame choices, as well as allowing clients to re-use their present eyeglass frames for new lenses without having to give up their glasses during the process.
"In this economy, it's great to be able to save folks some money by updating their lenses in their present frames," the Stricklands said.
Strickland's location is 1911 Washington St., across the street from Tops. It is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. No appointment are necessary For more information, call 483-3280 or 888-483-3280.