Pictured, from left, are Rachel Raak, LSCP Community Economic Development coordinator; Lindsey Bean, LSCP Outreach and Development specialist; Don Baumgartner; Jaci Baumgartner; Laura Meister, SPEX; Dr. Anna Krause, SPEX owner; Nick Krause; Michelle Sellers, Marquette County ambassador; Andrea Bloch; Greg Zyburt, Marquette County ambassador; Valerie Kero; and Natalie Chmiko, LSCP CEO. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — SPEX celebrated its grand opening with a public open house on Thursday at 407 S. Lakeshore Blvd., Suite B, in Marquette. The Lake Superior Community Partnership assisted with the celebration by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The open house featured Woody’s Eyewear Collection with a spotlight on sunglasses, complimentary gelato from Provisions MQT, light refreshments, raffle prizes and additional entertainment throughout the event.

Founded in 2026 by Dr. Anna Krause, SPEX was built on a mission to provide compassionate, person-centered care that emphasizes prevention, meaningful patient relationships and whole-body wellness. Dr. Krause brings more than a decade of experience to the Marquette community and is focused on helping patients understand the connection between eye health and overall wellness.

A Yooper born and raised in Iron River, Dr. Anna Krause previously practiced in Marquette from 2015 to 2019 at Downtown EyeCare, where many patients knew her as Dr. Anna Baumgartner. After moving downstate in 2019, Dr. Krause and her husband continued to feel a strong pull to return to the Upper Peninsula. In 2025, they decided it was finally time to come home, giving Dr. Krause the opportunity to pursue her dream of opening her own practice.

“I’m so excited to be back in Marquette, spreading my roots and building the community of phenomenal eye care providers in the U.P.,” said Dr. Anna Krause. “SPEX brings a fresh perspective on eye care to Marquette. We’re focused on how your eyes impact and are impacted by your whole-body wellness. See well and be well with SPEX.”

For more information about SPEX, visit www.spexmqt.com, call 906-451-3611, or email info@spexmqt.com. SPEX can also be found on Facebook and Instagram at ‘SPEXMQT’.

LSCP ribbon cuttings are funded by Northern Initiatives.