By Quin Welch, Building Kentucky
Hollenbach Oakley, a Louisville-based commercial real estate development firm, is pleased to welcome Shady Rays, a Kentucky-based company that manufactures high-quality sunglasses, as the firm’s first anchor tenant at Simpsonville Commons, a 140-acre “Class A” business park in Simpsonville, Kentucky that will consist of retail, distribution, logistics and advanced manufacturing.
Leaders from Shady Rays and Hollenbach Oakley were joined by Gov. Andy Beshear to cut the ribbon on the new 112,500 square-foot building, which will serve as the company’s headquarters and workspace for its 63 Kentucky employees. Shady Rays’ portion of the building will include 69,000 square feet of warehouse space and 6,000 square feet of office space. KCC Companies, which specializes in HVAC design, manufacturing, installation and service, will occupy the remainder of the space.
“Everyone at Hollenbach Oakley is so excited to welcome Shady Rays as our first anchor tenant in Simpsonville Commons,” said John Hollenbach, Managing Partner of Hollenbach Oakley. “Shady Rays and KCC Companies are both proud Kentucky companies, and we are thrilled they have chosen Simpsonville Commons as they continue to grow and bring their high-quality products to customers around the world.”
Shady Rays Founder + CEO Chris Ratterman said the new facility at Simpsonville Commons will enable the company to continue its rapid growth.
“This new space will allow us to meet the growing demand from our loyal Shady Rays customers,” Shady Rays Founder + CEO Chris Ratterman said. “We’re proud to be a Kentucky-based business from a national footprint in the lifestyle and adventure eyewear segment, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for us here in Simpsonville.”
Shady Rays prioritizes giving back to the communities in which its employees work and live, and its new facility at Simpsonville Commons will help fuel new community investments.
“Our fulfillment team packs and ships thousands of orders every day both nationally and internationally,” Shady Rays COO Dan Ratterman said. “These orders help us give back to our communities through charitable giving. Our continued growth will allow us to make more gifts to organizations that do great work in supporting our neighbors here in the Commonwealth and beyond.”
Gov. Andy Beshear said the new facility at Simpsonville Commons is yet another indicator of Kentucky’s continued economic growth.
“I was honored to help celebrate the grand opening for Shady Ray’s new headquarters in Simpsonville,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Shady Rays sunglasses have exploded in popularity, and this new office will allow the company to continue to grow. They’re also providing a key tenant for Simpsonville Commons, an expanding business and retail park being developed by Hollenbach Oakley. Great companies and smart site development show Kentucky is open for business.”
Over 500,000 square feet of property is either under construction or completed at Simpsonville Commons. Once fully completed, the park will create over 2,000 jobs for people in Shelby County and surrounding counties.
“Simpsonville Commons is poised to serve as an economic driver in this region,” Hollenbach said. “With direct access to I-64 via Exit 28, expect Simpsonville Commons to serve as the home to many more incredible companies – just like Shady Rays.”
In total, the park will feature over 1.5 million square feet of commercial development, with a total investment of over $250 million. To learn more about Simpsonville Commons, visit https://hollenbach-oakley.com/portfolio/business-parks/simpsonville-commons.
