A fundamental belief that people should be able to find services close to home is the driving force for St. Paul’s newest business, a lighting store.
A fundamental belief that people should be able to find services close to home is the driving force for St. Paul’s newest business, a lighting store.
Konstantin Guenter and his wife Irina are the new owners for Lakeland Lighting, which opened its doors this past September, and which offers a wide selection of beautiful lighting LED products and fans, plus installation and repairs.
The couple has lived in St. Paul for a decade, with Konstantin working in a number of places, from Swisco to Portage College. However, when his wife suggested opening their own business, he found the idea appealing.
People often have to run to the city to find options when building or renovating, and he felt that he could offer services that would keep people shopping in St. Paul.
“That was another motivation for me, to do something for a small town,&” he said.
Ideal Carpets’ John Reid suggested the Guenters could open a lighting shop, as none exist within 150 kilometres of the town, and the couple saw the light, so to speak. Tackled renovations at the Ideal Carpets’ former storage centre and months later; the space was transformed into a welcoming, warmly lit space, with dozens of lighting styles, from elegant and classic to modern and funky.
“When we put on a chandelier, we were just like, ‘Ooh, that looks cool,&” said Guenter, as he and his wife note they are amazed by the transformation in the space, with all their hard work paying off. “It’s just exciting.&”
Guenter has hired Long Trang as Lakeland Lighting’s general manager and in-house electrician, to provide expertise in LED products, installation and electrical repair. Meanwhile, Guenter is taking courses through the American Lighting Association to help people with consultations and coming up with design concepts.
“We have knowledge about what styles are popular,&” he explains, adding that when it comes to lighting, the store will stock everything a person might need, from bulbs, to chandeliers, to wall mounts.
When people leave his store, he wants them to feel satisfied and pleased, knowing their home or business will look better and brighter, with some help from their knowledgeable and helpful friends at Lakeland Lighting.
