Jennifer Lambart’s Southwest Vision Center, which opened Monday, gives Edwardsburg its first optometrist.
Jennifer and her husband, Deven, the Ontwa Township-Edwardsburg Police Department school resource officer, live in Mottville with their son, Peyton, 1.
For the past two months the couple, who met when he asked her out while she was stocking grocery store shelves, have been remodeling the former gold shop at 69001 M-62, Suite E, next to Chemical Bank.
Jennifer has been an optometrist for four years. She married Deven in 2008.
“I walked up to her in the produce aisle,” Deven said. “She laughed because she didn’t expect someone to walk up and ask her out. I’m from Holt, south of Lansing.  She’s from Carson City-Crystal, outside of Alma. I moved down here for a job with the tribal police out of Dowagiac. I love to hunt and fish and she loves to fish. She’s very outdoorsy.”
Deven said Jennifer wore “big, thick glasses” as a girl.
“She could never see well and is the type of person who wants to help everyone. What better way than the eyes, because everything that’s wrong with you usually can be seen in the eye? She loves being able to catch things early for people, such as diabetes. She prides herself on her level of care. She explains things well to patients and won’t see just eyeglasses and exams.”
“I wanted to be in the medical field, but have time for family,” Jennifer said, adding that she can address such issues as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, contacts and dry eyes with her comprehensive care.
Jennifer will be assisted by a fulltime optician and a part-time technician. Her husband manages the business side.
“Edwardsburg had chiropractors, dentists, veterinarians and doctors, but there’s never been an optometrist,” Deven said. “What better niche to fit?”
Hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and evenings by appointment. Call (269) 414-4492.