SALT LAKE CITY, Utah—Standard Optical, a regional market leader in eyecare and optical related goods and services announced that it is acquiring Classic Optical, an established optometry practice in the Salt Lake City metro area, from Dr. Michael Conklin, OD. The combination of Dr. Conklin’s renowned clinical reputation and Standard Optical’s accessibility and economies will provide a more complete experience for the Classic Optical patient base as well as enhance Standard Optical’s offerings in specialty, complex and therapeutic contact lenses fitting, Standard noted.

“This acquisition will create new efficiencies and savings for the patient and will allow Dr. Conklin to expand his services to the existing Standard Optical patients that require medically necessary contact lenses,” stated Aaron Schubach, CEO of Standard Optical.

Dr. Conklin’s practice will essentially be moved to Standard Optical’s office in Murray, Utah, less than a mile from Classic Optical. It is one of 20 locations across the state. Dr. Conklin and Standard Optical have entered into an employment agreement which makes Dr. Conklin the resident full-time optometrist at Standard Optical’s Murray practice.

“The commitment to my patient base developed over my 20+ year career is extremely important to me and this partnership only enhances this commitment. The advantages Standard Optical brings including surgical ophthalmology services will lead to top-notch care and ultimately happy and healthy patients,” said Dr. Conklin. He added, “Standard Optical’s 110 year heritage is remarkable and enhances my continued commitment to the people of Murray and surrounding communities.”

Specific deal terms were not disclosed, however, Standard Optical said this is the first of several acquisitions it has teed up for the next 60 days and according to Schubach, the group plans to add 7 to 10 more locations before the end of the first quarter, 2021.

The Utah group also announced that longtime practice manager and American Board of Opticianry certified optician Lindsay Lafeen will be named the manager of the Murray Standard Optical and Sofia Sanchez will join Standard Optical as a marketing associate in their digital marketing department.

“We take very seriously the value of the people in the patient experience and since day one, our partnership included placement for every employee of Classic Optical. We feel that we have upgraded our staff significantly by bringing Lindsey and Sofia on board and look forward to the transition,” remarked Schubach.

Standard Optical was founded in Salt Lake City by Henry Schubach in 1911. Now operated by fourth generation family member Aaron Schubach, Standard Optical has 20 locations and one laser surgical center for full-scope comprehensive eyecare including routine eye exams, glasses, contact lenses and surgical services like LASIK, cataracts and general ophthalmology.

Standard Optical’s sister company, Opticare Vision Services, is the region’s largest vision insurance provider covering over 250,000 members with risk-based, funded vision plan products for groups and individuals.