FEATURED COVER STORY
A & A Optical A
by Jodi Varnado
& A Optical, a private practice in Fort Oglethorpe,
With a history in corporate optometry, Sulicia slowly
Georgia, is rooted in passion for individualized,
realized her desire to open a private practice—one that
intentional service to everyone in their community.
offered individuals affordable, personalized options for lenses
Sulicia Jones, half of the visionary pair who revitalized A &
and frames. With the encouragement from her husband and
A Optical, states that their care for individuals stems from
new friend Kim, Sulicia began to pray for a path forward. “I
the concern with the way people see the world. This care is
crossed paths with Kim and I knew that God was making a
evident from only a brief conversation with Sulicia, as she
way,” said Sulicia. Mandisa’s hit-song “Way Maker” comes to
exposed her heart for customers and their vision needs.
mind when Jones describes their meeting:
A & A Optical was established in 1987 by Optician
By faith, I believe that
Polly Fisher in Fort Oglethorpe. Fisher’s daughter, Gloria,
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working,
eventually took over her mother’s business and relocated
You never stop
to Ringgold, GA. This office served as a place of training
You never stop working.
for Fisher’s niece, Kim Bates. Ultimately, Gloria retired
God is always fulfilling a plan and ordering our
and closed the practice in 2017. Two years later, Kim and
steps, sometimes in ways we never could have expected.
Sulicia re-opened A & A Optical, moving it back into the
This is true for Kim and Sulicia, who together have been
original Fort Oglethorpe community. Today, this practice
serving this Georgia community for over three years. A &
tells a story of God’s power to unite, restore, and strengthen
A Optical has come full circle, with the same level of care
individuals and communities alike.
distinguished thirty-five years ago.
22 // May 2022
