Photo by Karin Elton The Shopko Optical Center is opening today at its new site at 1101 East College Drive in Marshall.

MARSHALL — The former Shopko building is truly empty now. Shopko Optical was still conducting business there but now will open today at 1101 E. College Drive, the former Family Video location on East College and Bruce Street.

Dr. Ken Ristau will continue as the optometrist for Shopko Optical in Marshall.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue serving Marshall with this new location,” said Shopko Optical CEO Russ Steinhorst. “Dr. Ken Ristau is a skilled optometrist, and we look forward to the lasting relationships he and his team build with the residents of Marshall.”

Dr. Ristau graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry.

There are 80 Shopko Optical locations in the process of opening or relocating to convenient areas by the end of 2019, according to a news release from Shopko Optical. Further growth is expected in 2020 and beyond.

Shopko Optical has provided care and eyewear for more than 40 years through its team of nearly 700 optometrists and opticians.

Shopko Optical fills, at least partly, the 3,000 square feet the former Family Video store occupied before it closed in June of 2018. At that time, Family Video was hoping to lease or sell the space for one or two businesses.

“The city of Marshall is happy to see the relocation of Shopko Optical,” said Sharon Hanson, city administrator. “It is redevelopment of a recently vacated property, located on a main thoroughfare of Marshall and most importantly, Shopko Optical will be able to continue to serve their existing patients while continuing to grow their customer base in the region.”

The Shopko store closed in June of 2019, ending a 57-year era for the Wisconsin-based retail chain. The building now sits vacant ready for its next incarnation.

“The city is in communication with property manager Raider Hill Advisors and will assist with redevelopment opportunities of the former Shopko property,” said Hanson.