Salt Lake City— Standard Optical, a regional market leader in eye care and  optical related goods and services announced today that it is acquiring Classic Optical, an established optometry practice in the Salt Lake City metro area, from Dr. Michael Conklin, OD. This acquisition will  enhance the service and product offerings to Classic Optical patients, while increasing Standard Optical’s  market share.  

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, a  notoriously difficult and underserved aspect of Optometry. “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,” states 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, that is one of 20 locations across the state. “The patient is the true winner  here as this is an example of how local companies can come together, in a competitive environment and  through the spirit of cooperation truly deliver extraordinary things to the market.” 

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 which is open Monday thru  Friday from 9:00am-7:00pm and Saturday 8:00am to 3:00pm. “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,” states Conklin. He continues,  “Standard Optical’s 110 year heritage is remarkable and enhances my continued commitment to the  people of Murray and surrounding communities.”

Specific deal terms will not be disclosed, however, Standard Optical says this is the first of several  acquisitions it has teed up for the next 60 days and according to Schubach, will add 7-10 more locations  before the end of Q1, 2021. The Utah chain also announced that long-time 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,” remarks Schubach.  

About Standard Optical 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 eye care 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.. For more information  about Standard Optical or any of its affiliates visit www.standardoptical.net or call 801-886-2020.