Hammer and cat’s paw in hand, respectively, Dr. Bradley R. and Elizabeth Yaklich have been hands-on participants in the renovation of their new Vision Source Morrison location at 626 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL. Housed at the west end is Puppy Love. For the rest of the week, they work with, and for, Dr. David C. Jennings, who is retiring after 38 years on Friday, July 26, 2013. Over lunch break on Tuesday, July 23, they visited the remodel site.
The couple bought this building and the optometry business. The Yakliches plan to open on Tuesday, August 6.
The transition began three weeks earlier, on Tuesday, July 16, under the direction of Brad’s father, Mike Yaklich of Kewanee, IL. The senior Yaklich was an ag sales manager, but currently teaches at Blackhawk East Community College. He and his wife, a Kewanee realtor, own 21 properties.
First, they remodeled the walls and layout. “The walls will be perfect,” promised Mike. Nine rooms are being crafted: waiting room, product display area, handicap-accessible restroom, three exam rooms and two for special tests, and a large office. Patients will check in at one counter and check out at another for efficient traffic flow.
Countless decisions have been made to create an inviting new space. Elizabeth explained the interior color scheme, with its evocative paint names: Stable Hay (office), Cancun Sand (waiting room), Aqua Smoke (exam rooms), and Pot of Cream (ceilings.)
“It’s a wonderfully-built building, solid underfoot,” Mike Yaklich explained. Merv Landwehr Construction is the Annawan, IL, builder. “He’s a perfectionist.” Mike called on Landwehr to plan the pay window area, with its lower counter.
Kewanee masons worked inside. He was grateful they put aside other work to assist him. Soon they would install five windows across the south facade. Two entry doors will be replaced with a single, wide one, meeting “ADA code or better” for handicap accessibility; this is “important to Brad,” he said. A large concrete pad will give “lots of room to open the door” and include hand railings. Leading to the entrance from the east will be an extended, gently sloping ramp.
Chardonnay Stone will be layed 54″ from the foundation; Kent Bush of Morrison will cover the upper surface with vinyl siding. New exterior light and redesign of the exterior sign are in the plans.
Technology features include the access of medical records from exam rooms; satellite radio; cable television.
Vision Source Morrison will continue the insurance and safety companies and eye frame companies used by Dr. Jennings. Preschool exams will also continue with Dr. Yaklich.