Shady Rays prepares to open massive headquarters, distribution center in Simpsonville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Shady Rays will officially open its new 75,000-square-foot headquarters and distribution center Wednesday along Interstate 64 in Simpsonville.

The company, which started in founder Chris Ratterman's living room, now employs 95 people and has customers in 60 countries. And it's now one of the most successful sunglass lines in the country.

"Really we are marketing against the larger brands, the larger companies, selling at a much high price point, and we are making waves," Ratterman said Tuesday. "And that has just been really exciting to experience for the team."

Since its inception, the company now has more than two million customers and sold nearly 3.5 million pairs of sunglasses. It also continues to give hundreds of thousands of dollars annually through charitable contributions.

Late last year, the opened its fifth brick and mortar store at Oxmoor Mall. They also have retail stores in Lexington, Denver, Scottsdale and in The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.