CHENEY – Vision Haus is marking its 13th anniversary this month, celebrating over a decade of providing eye care to the Cheney community.
Founded in 2011 by optometrist Dr. Scott E. Borgholthaus and his wife, Jeannette Borgholthaus, the business at 1867 First St. was inspired by an unexpected visit here.
“The first time we came here was for our son’s relay race at the state championship at Roos Field,” Jeannette recalled. “That’s when we realized there wasn’t an eye doctor in this town. It’s a pretty big place, with a college, but no eye care services.”
At the time, Scott, who had been practicing in Yakima, was ready for a change.
“When we first moved to Yakima, there were 15 optometrists. By the time we left, there were 30,” he said. That realization prompted the couple to relocate.
The journey to find the right location was not without challenges.
“We considered setting up downtown, including Dr. Miller’s old office, but the rent was too high,” Jeannette said. Eventually, they found a spot near other healthcare providers.
“We love this area, surrounded by a chiropractor, dentist, and physical therapist,” she added.
Starting a business from scratch proved to be a slow process.
“It’s hard to get established,” Jeannette said. “People didn’t know we were here, and we had to find ways to get noticed.”
Insurance barriers posed additional hurdles, particularly with Kaiser Permanente, which wasn’t in their network at the time.
“That was tough, because many people in Cheney had Kaiser Insurance,” she explained.
Over time, the Borgholthauses adapted, building relationships and leveraging their website. They also introduced vision insurance to offer discounts to clients.
“It took about 6-8 years to gain a foothold,” Scott said, noting that he worked part-time in Spokane to make ends meet.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges, as the clinic experienced a sharp decline.
However, as residents moved in and out of Cheney, the practice began attracting new patients.
“When new people moved into town, they came to us,” Jeannette said. “And when Spokane-based eye doctors retired, their patients started seeking us out too.”
Now, Vision Haus is thriving, and the Borgholthaus family is grateful for the support of the community.
“The people in this town are wonderful,” Jeannette said. “We’re family-owned, and we make an effort to listen to our clients’ needs. I think people appreciate that.”
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