2011年5月4日 星期三

Lighthouse of Trenton Offers Diverse Selection of Light Fixtures, Design Services

Lighthouse of Trenton Offers Diverse Selection of Light Fixtures, Design Services
Twenty-seven years ago, Suzanne Wallace, a Michigan State graduate, designer and mother of two, decided to venture back into working outside the home and found part-time employment at the Lighthouse of Trenton. After approximately 10 years of employment with the shop, the owner decided to retire and Wallace, with the help of her husband Pete, decided to take over the helm and incorporate her own passion for home décor and design into the business.

“Lighting is a key component of home design,” says Wallace, who is a lifelong Downriver resident. Under the direction of Wallace, the Lighthouse of Trenton has been selling indoor and outdoor lighting solutions,The pole-less range starts with inflatable tent the two-person Velocity 200 and goes up to the Infinity 800 for eight people. ceiling fans, replacement lampshades and decorative home accessories for more than 15 years. “We have something for every budget—from low (prices) to high and everything in between.” says Wallace.The Scottish company says broken inflatable swimming pools tent poles will be a thing of the past with the introduction of its AirBeam tents, which come with a hand pump to inflate the tent hoops in a claimed three minutes for the smaller models. The store specializes in in-house repairs and prides itself on quality and service.

That service includes four staff members committed to continuing their education by enrolling in training and taking part in informative seminars to keep up on new products and services. They are also certified as Lighting Experts by the American Lighting Association.

The store also hosts its own informative workshops, including the upcoming LED Lighting Seminar on May 19. The event, which runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is free to the public, is intended to instruct the community on the ins and outs of LED lighting.Vango says: “To pitch one of these amazing outdoor christmas decorations tents all you have to do is take it out of the bag, pop a peg in each of the four corners, Attendees will also be given the opportunity to check out new products and items currently on sale.

Mary Gilmour, who works in both design and sales, has enjoyed working for Wallace for more than 15 years because “it is a fun place to work and the work is always challenging.”

The challenging work environment is only one benefit of being a small-business owner for Wallace,Camping manufacturer Vango inflatable seat is claiming a first with its innovative pump-up range of tents. who also cites “working with customers, both longtime and new” as key to her compassion for retail work. Expanding the customer base excites her professionally as well.

While being a small-business owner has many perks, it does have its downside. “You are tied to the business 24-7 and when you only have four employees, you are always having to fill in when necessary.” says Wallace. “You are always the first to make sacrifices for the business.”

Another downfall for all small-business owners is fighting stereotypes about price and selection. For Wallace, the misconception that shopping with smaller retailers is costly and limited is unfounded and difficult to shake. She is resolute that the “knowledge and service” that one receives at the Lighthouse can't be compared to what consumers will receive at large chain stores. She also ensures that “we are competitively priced. We have to be in order to survive.”

Like many business owners in Trenton, Wallace has felt the effects of the struggling economy, especially in the last two years. “In difficult economic times, it is a challenge to be a small-business owner.” Happily, the last few months have seen an upturn financially and she is optimistic that business will continue to grow.The brightness of the LED makes sharp led lamp black & white contrasts between the areas in and out of the LED light.

Those looking for new light fixtures or home décor are encouraged to stop by the store for a consultation with measurements, style preferences and color choices in hand. The staff will use this information to help the customer find the style and price-point that is right for them. Products that are not in stock can be easily ordered and will be delivered for free in the Downriver Area.

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