Buchanan couple buys Mathews out
Published 5:33 pm Tuesday, March 1, 2005
By Staff
DOWAGIAC - With an emphatic "but I'm not retiring," Dr. Fred Mathews announced Monday he has sold his Dowagiac optometric practice to Drs. Steven and Brenda Smoke of Buchanan.
Dr. Mathews continued, "My 52-year Dowagiac practice will now be newer and better by being part of the Smoke Family Vision Center organization.
Dr. Brenda Smoke said, "We are pleased and excited about expanding the Smoke Family Vision Center to Dowagiac. Dr. Mathews has provided quality eye care to his patients for many years. His dedication to quality eye care and his dedication to community service made Dr. Mathews a person we wanted to affiliate with. We appreciate Dr. Mathews agreeing to stay with the practice. We will make a strong new team providing excellence in eye care."
Dr. Steven Smoke said, "I too am pleased to become affiliated with Dr. Mathews. We plan to do extensive remodeling of the office on Pennsylvania Avenue. Among the changes will be additional examination rooms and expansion of the optical department to provide exciting new frame and lens options to our patients.
Dr. Brenda Smoke was born and reared in Gwinn, in the Upper Peninsula. She received her undergraduate education at Northern Michigan University and graduated with honors from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago with her doctorate in 1990.
Dr. Steven Smoke was born and raised in Dearborn. His undergraduate degree was obtained from Central Michigan University. He too received his doctorate with honors from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1987. The Drs. met while studying at the Illinois College of Optometry and came to Buchanan in 1991 where they started their first practice.
In 1994 they opened a second office in New Buffalo. Between the two offices they have a staff of eight assistants, opticians and other paraprofessionals.
The Smoke's live in Buchanan and have one son, Hunter, who is in kindergarten.