As February draws to a close, Academy Eye Center in Thomasville celebrates its final days as the City Beautification Committee’s Business of the Month.

Business of the Month, a City Beautification Committee tradition since the ‘90s, hinges on a company’s work to increase the aesthetics of its property, such as landscaping or structural renovations.

“We try to pick one that has done at least some type of improvement to its place,” said Carol Brown, chair of the committee.

Academy Eye Center caught the committee’s attention because it remodeled an office at Southgate Shopping Center, converting it into a more modernized facility.

“It’s very open and everything,” Brown said. “It’s a nice feel.”

Christi Stevenson, secretary for Academy Eye Center, said the old center had an ‘80s and ‘90’s style to the decor, while the new facility is much more up-to-date.

“Dr. Pope’s office — it was old, it was outdated,” Stevenson said. “So was the other office that we had. Here, it’s a whole lot fresher-looking.”

Part of the motivation for the renovation was Academy Eye Center’s merger with a partner company, Eye Care Clinic of Thomasville. Both businesses decided to start fresh with a brand new location.

“We kind of grew as a family for two years before we came together as one,” Stevenson said.

Though pleasantly taken aback by the nomination, Stevenson said she hopes being Business of the Month will draw more people to check out the company and look at them in a new light.

“I was surprised — excited, though,” she said. “We all work really hard, and we have for several years. We’re a good family and a good team. We work together to make it happen.”

Staff Writer Erin Wiltgen can be reached at 888-3576, or at newsdesk@tvilletimes.com