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Lights out at lamp shop
Covina retailer to close after 54 years in business

By Audrey Reed, Staff Writer

Article Launched: 09/06/2007 06:45:03 PM PDT
COVINA - The city will soon be a little dimmer.

Come Dec. 1, Lighting Elegance Lamp & Shade Shop will close its doors and turn off its lights after 54 years of business.

The closing sale started off strong Thursday with about a dozen customers waiting outside before the store opened and a steady stream of shoppers looking to make their last purchases.

But that kind of traffic is unusual for Lighting Elegance.

Owner Dennis Phillips attributes the closure to competition from big-box retailers like Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Lowe's, which sell cheaper, imported products.

Lighting Elegance carries a higher-end product line than chain retail stores.

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