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Manchester Eye Care celebrates 30 years

Front: Dr. Julie Marvin-Manders (right) and Dr. Jessica Manders, with their staff standing behind them, celebrate 30 years of business in Manchester this month.

by Marsha Chartrand

In a lot of ways, it doesn’t seem to Dr. Julie Marvin-Manders as though much time has passed at all.

“Thirty years has gone fast,” she says. “All of a sudden, I’ve bought a building and remodeled it a couple of times; my kids are grown; and now I have Jessie here to carry on for the future. It just been a whirlwind.”

Starting out in the building on Main Street where Millie Coffee House is now located, she purchased the home behind her when it came up for sale just a few years later. Her growth has been a “gradual increase,” which made it easier to handle, as she started out with just one employee, Kathleen Gould, who introduced her to the community and its intricate relationships. Everything was on paper in those days, but as the practice grew, she graduated to computers, and not just for record-keeping. Now, technology is integrated into every aspect of her practice.

She added on to the building twice — first, incorporating what had been a garage into additional office space, and later, adding on to the back of the office to accommodate an associate doctor, of which she has had a few in recent years. But now, she has her daughter as her associate and that suits them both to a T.

“Any future changes will be on Jessie,” she says with a smile, “and that will be just fine.”

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” says Dr. Jessica Manders, who recently graduated from Kentucky College of Optometry at the University of Pikeville. “I’m excited to be back in Manchester, seeing familiar faces and working with my mom.”

She says she remembers pulling charts in the basement as a little girl and deciding that she wanted to follow in her mother footsteps. “I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything different,” she adds. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to make one of my kids carry on after me!”

She happy to be able to make the transition to “retirement” a little easier for her mom, although she admits she doesn’t think (Julie) will ever really quit working. “But we’ll see!” she quips with a smile.

“I’m very proud of my mom and all she has accomplished, and I think it very cool that in her 30th year that I get to join her in practice,” Jessie concludes.

“Having Jessie here has been great,” Julie adds. “I’ve had other associates, but they were not interested in helping me build the business. This is really a true partnership; Jess is joining me with an interest in looking to the future. And at the end of the day, I can finally feel like I have a life after work.”

To celebrate their 30th anniversary, Manchester Eye Care is running a special in August. They are offering 30% off all prescription and non-prescription sunglasses until August 31. No brand exclusions apply! The staff does ask that you call and make an appointment to let them know you are coming in to assure that someone is free to give you the care you deserve.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.