Broad View Eye Center eyes new building

by Laura Straub

In November 2002, Dr. Josie Kosunick and Dr. Nicolette Scott were working for larger, national eye centers when they decided they wanted a different path.

“We wanted something that would allow us to build better relationships with our patients, really become part of the community and also afford us the opportunity to be both skilled doctors and parents,” said Kosunick, President of the Broad View Eye Center. “The solution was going off on our own.”

Scott completed market research and determined the growing community in Broadview Heights lacked eye care specialists. So, they opened Broad View Eye Center in the Wellpointe Center, providing patients six months and up with comprehensive eye exams, ocular disease management, treatment of ocular emergencies and infections, contact lens services and sales and glasses services and sales.

“The city of Broadview Heights was so wonderful to work with during each and every step,” said Kosunick. “We picked this community because we felt we were filling a void and could really grow a community-based practice.”

And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Since launching the practice nearly 20 years ago, the original location has expanded twice. Kosunick and Scott have opened eye care centers in Berea, Strongsville and Bath. They’ve also added a new partner, Dr. Doug Wiersma and two associate optometrists, Dr. Alyssa Ashley and Dr. Sarah Alquist.

Their next move began in May, when they broke ground on a new building on Royalton Road, just west of Broadview Road, that will house their new Broadview Heights location.

“A few years ago, we decided we needed additional space and our lease would be expiring in 2021,” said Kosunick. “We decided it made more sense to build our own building instead of continuing to pay rent for the next 20 to 30 years.”

New exam rooms will allow more than two doctors to work on the same day. The new building will also feature a drive-thru window for patient pick-ups, a larger optical lab where the team will edge lenses for all four locations, a conference room for staff meetings and more offices for administrative employees.

“We saw the need to increase unique features and conveniences. For example, adding a drive-thru window,” said Kosunick. “Again as moms, we know sometimes the last thing you want to do is get all your kids out of the car. It’s nice to have this option for a convenient pickup for say, contact lenses.”

The new location will also offer better visibility from the street.

“Still after 19 years of being in the same location, we have patients asking weekly if we are new,” Kosunick said. “We are so excited to be part of the new developing area in Broadview Heights.”

Kosunick said she hopes the business will be operating out of its new location in January or February.

Throughout the years, Kosunick, Scott and their team have been active in the Broadview Heights Chamber of Commerce. Not only have the team’s staff given free exams and glasses to under-privileged children, but the business has also sponsored multiple families during the holiday seasons, held food drives for the community, participated in the mayor’s 5K run and even held a chili cook-off with the Broadview Heights Fire Department with proceeds benefitting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“Our patients from the local communities are like family to us,” said Kosunick. “Our practice has been built from the relationships with our patients and them sending their friends and families to us.” ∞