Martin Hack, Lenny Snipelisky, Jake Gersowsky and Stan Civin
Home Lighting
Back in 1991, when Light Bulbs Unlimited announced that they were opening their third showroom in Boca Raton, lighting industry experts were quick to caution that Boca was not that best location to expand a business selling only light bulbs. The two existing Light Bulbs Unlimited showrooms in Fort Lauderdale (1986) and North Miami (1988) were doing well but Boca was seen as “too small and too sedate” to support another lighting showroom. Undeterred, the showroom opened in November 1991 and with the loyal and enthusiastic support of the local community, the showroom grew steadily until one fateful night in November 2001 when a fire destroyed the whole shopping plaza where it was located.
Shock and dismay were soon replaced by the outpouring of support from customers and vendors alike and the showroom was able to reopen less than three months later in its current location.
“We could not have done this without the support and encouragement of the local community, including a call from the then mayor, Steve Abrams,” recall owners Stan Civin and Jake Gersowsky. “It was a tough period for all of us and we remain forever grateful to the city and people of Boca Raton.”
Adapting to changing trends has enabled the company to survive tough economic times. The company rebranded from Light Bulbs Unlimited to LBU Lighting back in 2017 and today LBU Boca is one of nine showrooms in South and Central Florida showcasing innovative and contemporary light fixtures from the world’s leading lighting manufacturers. True to their humble beginnings, the showrooms still offer a full range of LED and energy efficient light bulbs, to replace the extensive list of recently banned incandescent light bulbs.
LBU Lighting is now in its 37th year in Florida and the owners are quick to acknowledge that much of the success and growth is due to their loyal and knowledgeable staff.
“We are proud that many of the people who joined the company and survived the hurricanes and the fire are still with us” Civin points out. “Many of the Boca staff have been with us for over 10 years, with showroom managers Lenny Snipelisky (27 years), Martin Hack (18 years) and Peter Stoller (27 years)” adds Gersowsky.
Both Gersowsky and Civin live in Boca Raton (their children grew up here) and they have strong ties to the community, supporting local schools, clubs and charities.
“This is a good time of year to reflect on how fortunate we all are to live and work in Boca Raton.”
The past 33 years have flown by and thanks to a vibrant and supportive community we look forward to continuing this amazing adventure with old and new friends in Boca Raton.
LBU lighting, 2273 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 561-338-5211, lbulighting.com
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