About Us

Jason Little is the tennis director for both Statesville Country Club and Statesville Recreation and Parks Department. He is a certified tennis professional through Professional Tennis Registry. Jason played #1 for Wingate University where he graduated with a business degree and is currently working on his M.B.A. He is married to the former Louisa Harwell who works for the Eye Care Center, but also helps in the shop as needed. Louisa and Jason have have two labs, Bodie and Yogi.

Jason’s goal is to grow tennis in the Statesville and surrounding area with programs for all ages at S.C.C. and through the city rec. department.

Dr. Rick Bartlett has been practicing optometry in Statesville since 1981. The office is part of one of the largest optometric groups in the country known as Eye Care Center with over 60 locations in N.C. Dr. Bartlett and his partners, Dr. Keith Boan and Dr. Robert Grigsby, have three locations, including Salisbury and Hickory. He is married to the former Carolyn Poston and has three children, Arik, Alex, and Landon. Dr. Bartlett is active in Mexico medical missions and has either led or been part of groups on an annual basis since 1996. He enjoys tennis as a hobby and plays USTA league tennis. His son, Arik, under Jason’s coaching, was consistently ranked in the top 20 as a junior and earned a scholarship to Wingate. Rick shares Jason’s passion for growing tennis in Statesville and providing a venue for tennis enthusiasts to enjoy and meet their needs.

Haley York is our store manager. She is a graduate of North Iredell High School and is finishing up her two year Associates Art degree at Mitchell College. She has retail sales and management experience in sporting goods and sunglasses. Haley enjoys tennis and is working on improving her game.

Pat Furness is our new sales associate. Pat just moved to Statesville from Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, where she was operations manager for a medical products company. She enjoys all sports and is looking forward to getting involved in playing tennis again. Pat is also Dr. Bartlett's sister and will be working at the Eye Care Center as well.

Alex Bartlett is one of our part time employees and certified airbrush tanners. Alex works full time at the Eye Care Center, as an ophthalmic tech doing patient work ups, retinal photography and contact lens training. She is enjoying her new challenge and has quickly become very proficient at tanning, with many repeat clients. She is available by appointment Monday -Thursday 5:00 - 6:30 and all day Friday and Saturday. Other times can be arranged by special request.

Louisa Little assists her husband Jason in apparel purchasing for the store as well as working part-time as needed. Louisa has a degree in Political Science from UNC-Charlotte and is currently pursuing a nursing degree. She is a full-time employee at the Eye Care Center. Louisa enjoys participating in the tennis clinics offered by Jason and Jamie.

Carolyn Bartlett is our behind the scenes gifts and novelties buyer and bookkeeper. She searches far and wide for unique tennis theme items for the shop, and many she creates herself, for one of a kind purchases. She also offers some “Just Because” gifts for the non – tennis patrons as well. Please feel free to make suggestions for new ideas, as we are always open to trying different things.

Ace is the Tennis n' Shades mascot. Ace hangs out most Saturdays at the store between 11 and 1pm, but call to make sure. More about Ace...