GREEN BAY, Wis.—Shopko Optical, a provider of eyecare services across the Midwest for more than 40 years, said it has acquired Lake Optical Inc., a Fox Lake, Ill., eyecare practice. Shopko Optical Fox Lake opened on Monday (Dec. 6) with Dr. Dennis Lewinson continuing to provide the comprehensive eyecare services his patients in the Fox Lake community have appreciated for the past 30 years, the announcement noted. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

This is the first acquisition that Shopko Optical has made since debuting as a standalone company in mid-2019, Shopko Optical chief executive officer Russ Steinhorst told VMAIL on Wednesday. “We expect to close on a few more before the end of the year. We are acquiring practices to both operate and rebrand, like Lake Optical, but also to fold into existing Shopko Optical locations.”

Steinhorst said he expects Shopko Optical will end the year with 116 locations in total.

As part of Shopko Optical Fox Lake, Dr. Lewinson will continue to provide patients with comprehensive eyecare services, including eye exams, contact lens fitting, and detection and management of eye disease.

“We are very excited to be part of the Fox Lake community,” Steinhorst said in the company’s announcement. “Shopko Optical has built its history by providing patient-centric eyecare, high-quality eyewear, and outstanding customer service through its team of dedicated optometrists and opticians. Dr. Lewinson is a great addition to our team, and we are happy to be able to support his continued practice with an enhanced selection of eyewear and expanded hours to accommodate our patients.”

Dr. Lewinson graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry and is well known in the Fox Lake community. Shopko Optical shares Dr. Lewinson’s community values and is looking forward to an association with Fox Lake’s local Lions Club to identify eligible children within the area to receive a comprehensive eye exam and pair of glasses through its Kids in Focus program, the announcement noted.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Dr. Lewinson and extend our brand in Northern Illinois,” Steinhorst added. “We’re committed to ensuring our new Shopko Optical Fox Lake patients receive the same thorough and trusted care they have come to expect.”

Shopko Optical, the trade name of Shoptikal LLC, is an affiliate of Monarch Alternative Capital LP. The company has a dedicated team of nearly 700 optometrists and opticians. Shopko Optical said it expects further growth in 2021 and beyond.

In May 2019, a bankruptcy court in Omaha, Neb., overseeing the liquidation of the Shopko Stores discount store business approved the sale of the optical business to a new entity, Shoptikal LLC, as VMAIL reported. The “go-forward” business of Shopko Optical consisted of about 80 standalone locations at that time.