The economy is tricky these days. When we look at our 3 main local and regional industries, coal, oil and agriculture, two of the three, coal and oil are without doubt in a massive downturn. However, unemployment remains relatively low and if you look at Commerce and Falcon Avenue in Carmi, you’ll notice two new businesses being built. One of them is the highly anticipated Taco Factory and the other is Taylor Eye Care’s new facility.
Dr. Clint Taylor, a Kiwanis member himself and past president of the organization, gave fellow members an update on progress and some insight into his business over the last decade Thursday.
Taylor Eye Care has grown over the last 11 years from 2 employees and himself to 6 employees and himself. In 2015, Taylor and his staff saw nearly 3,150 patients from White, Wayne, Wabash, Hamilton, Saline Counties and as far south as Hardin and Pope. The practice performs eye exams from infants to patients over 100 years of age, glasses, contacts, sunglasses, safety glasses, eye infections and injuries, eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, and refractive surgery co management.
Taylor says treating patients like family sets the business apart and only offers high quality optical products that the staff stands behind. In addition, Taylor Eye Care believes in being a good community member donating and volunteering to many causes. Finally, Taylor believes in staying at the forefront of technology. He’s brought in state of the art equipment like a digital retina camera and an Optical Coherence Tomographer.
By focusing on those fronts, Taylor firmly believes the business offers the best eye care period. All staff members are certified in their field and he says the business has the best referral system working with Dr. Talley in Evansville.
The problem that’s developed over the years with the growth and advancement of Taylor Eye Care is a lack of room. There’s a lack of parking on South Church Street. The waiting room is too small. There’s no break room and the frame room is too small. So, thanks to the City of Carmi, Taylor was able to secure some land in the industrial expansion area and according to the latest construction schedule, he expects the project to be finished by April 11th.
The building is about 4,800 square feet, more than double their current setup. Some of the advantages Taylor expects to be able to add include expanded hours, being able to reach and serve a larger customer base and eventually more staff.
Taylor also is rolling out a new TEC Vision Business Discount program in which he’ll partner with local businesses to offer vision care for employers, employees and their families affordably. Participating members receive an additional twenty percent off basic services including the eye exam, any prescription glasses or sunglasses.
Find Taylor Eye Care online at https://www.tayloreyecare.com or call 618.382.4683. The eye care provider is also on facebook, Instagram and twitter.
