It comes down to a simple building block – customer service.
It’s the foundation to build any business upon, stressed David Oatman who, along with his wife Nancy, established Elgin Optical in 1981.
After gradually reducing his hours at the Wellington Street business, Oatman put in his last day on June 17.
myFM caught up with the optician as the afternoon wound down and he explained the transition over the past five years.
It’s been a gradual process of easing into retirement mode, he added.
He admitted it comes with mixed feelings but Oatman knows the customers are in good hands.
His daughter Amy Annett purchased the business in 2017.
Oatman has witnessed dramatic changes over the four-plus decades at Elgin Optical, including the treatment of cataracts.
His business philosophy revolves around taking time to properly deal with customers.
As for the future of Elgin Optical, Oatman has piece of mind knowing he can settle into retired life with his daughter at the helm.
As the staff prepared to close up for the day that Saturday, Oatman reassuringly added his daughter Amy fully understands the importance of customer service.
After all, you don’t log up over 40 years in business without a solid base of loyal customers, in some cases generations of families.
Written by Ian McCallum
