Native returns to open own business
By Staff
Jason Cannon, FCT Publisher
Jeremy Campbell graduated from the UAB school of optometry in 2004, but he easily could have minored in construction.
He, along with his uncle, Gary Cummings, bought the old building located just off the Highway 24 and 43 intersection, remodeled it from end to end and has already added two businesses to the 18,000 square foot facility.
Campbell will use the northern-most end for his business, Campbell Vision Center. His uncle will use the southern-most end to build an automatic car wash.
"I've noticed a lot of business has tended to develop off the highway over the last few years," Campbell said, "and this location was just perfect. This is the busiest intersection in Franklin County and it's right between the hospital and the Super Center – two high traffic areas."
Campbell, his uncle and grandfather, Bob Cummings, are still in the process of renovating the remaining units, but have slowed construction in an effort to attract tenants.
"A lot of people will require really specific things in an office space or a retail space," he said. "We didn't want to go in and add a bunch of stuff and then have to take it all right back out again."
Construction on the remaining units could be completed in about two weeks, he added.
The building remodel was a total rehab, Campbell said.
The three man crew replaced dry wall painted, replaced the windows and doors, added a new awning across the building and installed new siding.
"We wanted it to look nice," he said. "With it being such a busy intersection, we wanted it to be something nice looking for the city."
Campbell was also on the lucky end of a federal grant allocated to the city of Russellville which helped pay for the landscaping and planting of trees in front of his parking lot.
Campbell is a Russellville native and a 1996 graduate of Russellville High School. He also graduated from Samford University in 1999.
He and his wife Amy have an 11 month old daughter, Emma.
Campbell Vision Center is already open to the public and is currently accepting patients and can be reached at 332-1355.
