When a Chase Bank branch closed in Vassar, Michigan—a town of fewer than 3,000 people—the community buzzed about what would take its place. For Jean Barden, OD, the empty building presented the perfect opportunity: to transform the space where her own family once did their banking into the new home of Greater Thumb Eyecare (named as it’s in the “thumb” of Michigan).
Dr. Barden, a 2001 graduate of Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University, began her career in the metro Detroit area before returning to her hometown. After years of experience in corporate leases and private practice, she purchased the practice where she was working. By 2020, she had outgrown that 1,000-square-foot location. The large shuttered bank down the street fit the bill perfectly.
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Various pieces of metal artwork displayed in the landscaping
The renovation quickly became a family affair. Dr. Barden’s hardware-store-owning husband was a key resource, and she enlisted a contractor friend for the work. Even her father, well into his 80s, happily pitched in during demolition and cleanup. After six months, Greater Thumb Eyecare opened in its new 2,800-square-foot location in November 2020.
DOWN TO THE DETAILS
The building’s past lent the practice some unique design features. The former vault now houses a visual field analyzer, and the massive vault door remains a conversation starter. “Patients think it’s cool, but it takes up so much space—I actually wish I had taken it down,” Dr. Barden says with a laugh.
The expanded layout accommodates two exam lanes and
supplemental testing areas. Dr. Barden leveraged her Vision Source membership to buy advanced technology, including an OCT, retinal camera, digital phoropter and ultra widefield retinal imaging from Optos.
The front desk features a quartz countertop with shiplap on the front. Color inspiration came from her mother-in-law’s lake house, giving the office a calming, spa-like atmosphere. “We had originally picked what I thought was a neutral beige,” Dr. Barden says. “We bought gallons of paint, but as soon as it went on the wall, I hated it. It was back to the drawing board.”
Dr. Barden’s love of decorating and DIY is evident throughout the space. She refinished antique mirrors, transformed an old armoire and built optical frame boards out of metal piping.
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Two dispensing tables came from slabs she personally selected at a local lumber mill. Outside, a custom blue bench and bike rack shaped like eyeglasses add playful, personal touches.
Working here and putting my own touch on things opened my eyes to how working in a nice environment changes your day,” Dr. Barden says. A staff member even recently made an unprompted comment that it felt like working in a spa. “It let me know my work hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
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The office features vintage eye-themed art pieces.
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