August 20, 2024
Capitol Lighting Acquires Assets of Defunct Online Retailer
The 100-year-old retailer inherits Bellacor's customer list and vendor connections
Capitol Lighting, a notable lighting showroom retailer with seven locations in New Jersey and Florida, has acquired certain assets of Bellacor, an online retailer specializing in lighting and home décor. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, though recent happenings suggest Capitol may have purchased Bellacor at a “red tag bargain” price.
The acquisition follows Bellacor's abrupt closure in May. According to Business of Home, the Minneapolis-based e-commerce platform halted operations suddenly, firing its staff and cutting communication with vendors. Customers reported unfulfilled orders and unanswered inquiries.
The acquisition of Bellacor by Capitol Lighting appears to exclude Creative Lighting, Bellacor's sole retail location in St. Paul, Minnesota. While the Creative Lighting website remains active, attempts to contact the showroom reveal a different story. Callers to the showroom's telephone number are greeted with a recorded message stating, "Unfortunately, Creative Lighting has closed its doors."
Bridging Brick-and-Mortar with Digital
Capitol Lighting, a century-old family-owned business, has evolved from a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer to a multi-channel operation. Over the past two decades, the company expanded its reach beyond its physical showrooms by developing a significant online presence. What began as a toll-free phone service, 1-800-Lighting, has transformed into a robust e-commerce platform at 1800lighting.com.
The company operates retail and commercial showrooms in Florida (Stuart, Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale) and New Jersey (Eatontown, East Hanover, Paramus), alongside its online store. This expansion has allowed Capitol Lighting to serve customers well beyond its local areas.
Ken Lebersfeld, CEO of Capitol Lighting, stated that the Bellacor acquisition would further expand the company's product selection and improve its digital shopping experience.
This move also highlights the ongoing trend of residential lighting manufacturers and traditional retailers adapting to the digital marketplace to expand their customer reach.
