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WHAT’S GOING ON? Graystone Eye’s New Facility in Boone Set to Open Monday

By Jessica Isaacs | jessica@highcountrypress.com

After four years in the High Country and nearly five decades in business, Graystone Eye, a full-service ophthalmology and subspecialty practice, will open its brand new location in Boone on Monday.

The building, located at 2640 N.C. Highway 105 across from the Ingles shopping center, will bring Graystone’s existing Boone and Linville offices together under one roof.

Doctors William Harris, Hampton Lefler and Thomas Foster first established the practice with locations in Newton and Hickory in 1969. In 2008, the Hickory office was designated as the practice’s central hub, and a fully accredited surgery center was added the following year. By that time, Graystone was also operating a completely renovated office in Lenoir by 2009 and a brand new facility in Lincolnton by 2012.

Also in 2012, the organization made its move to the High Country through the acquisition of Watauga Eye, moving into its Boone and Linville locations upon the retirement of their respective managing doctors.

Lobby Photo with GRC
Graystone Eye Physicians

“When we acquired Watauga Eye, the Boone and Linville properties were not a part of that agreement,” said Ashley Smith, marketing director for Graystone. “Since we have been servicing the High Country, our board decided it was the best thing for our patients to build in a location that would provide full ophthalmic services five days a week.  It’s important to us to be a part of the communities that we serve.”

After weather-related delays, construction began on the new Boone facility in January.

“The winter weather with all of the rain and ice derailed our actual start to construction, so we were supposed to be in there sooner,” said Smith. “WE are scheduled to open on Monday, Aug. 29.”

Graystone Eye will operate on the lower level of the 25,000 square foot building, which is accessible from N.C. 105, and will lease the upper level, accessible from the adjacent side road, to Fresenius Dialysis.

The Linville office will close and its practices will be moved to the new facility.

Six of Graystone’s 12 physicians will rotate to serve the new Boone location, which will offer most of its services, including subspecialty care, all comprehensive care and refractive surgery consultations. All outpatient and cosmetic oculoplastic surgeries will still be performed at the surgery center in Hickory.

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce will join the Graystone team for a brief ceremonial ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12. The pubic is invited to attend a grand opening celebration on Thursday, Sept. 29, which will feature tours of the facility, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments and a meet-and-greet with the physicians.

“Our grand opening is when the excitement will really take place! We never had the opportunity to host one with our Watauga Eye acquisition, so we are looking forward with sharing this new venture with our patients and the High Country community,” Smith said. ” This will also be an opportunity to meet and greet with our physicians.”

If you plan to attend the grand opening celebration, RSVP to Smith at asmith@graystone-eye.com.

Graystone’s plans for the future include adding new physicians and getting more involved in the High Country community.

“Our doctors are in the practice of providing the most advanced technology at an affordable price, and we do our best to meet our patients needs,” said Smith. “Because we treat so many High Country residents, it is ideal for us to keep a location here.”

For more information, visit graystone-eye.com or call 828-322-2050.

 

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