Closure of Lighting Shop to Darken Area

There used to be five lighting stores in Studio City on Ventura Boulevard, so many that Johnny Carson once made a joke about them on the old “Tonight Show.”

Now only one of the five stores stands--Valley Lighting and Lamps. The end is near for that store, too, as next week the lights of Valley Lighting will go off after more than 50 years at 12205 Ventura Blvd.

For two months, Valley Lighting has dropped prices, attracting hoards of shoppers eager to purchase a chandelier or lamp at bargain prices.

The owners, Allen and Ruby Dennis, expect to close shop on Jan. 26. The two are retiring after running the business since they inherited it from Allen’s parents in the 1940s.

“It’s been crazy in here, wall-to-wall shoppers,” said Celeste Sands, a salesclerk and office worker at the store for about eight years.

Evidence of the purchasing frenzy is found throughout the large showroom. Fixtures sit scattered across display tables, pieces of lights rest alone in corners and large yellow sales tags hang from ceiling lamps.

The space looks huge for the scarce stock that remains.

“The end is near,” said Ruby Dennis.

On Friday the customers kept coming, scouring the tables, lifting and inspecting the pieces, and then paying low prices for their finds--some as low as 70% below normal.

“It’s kind of like treasure hunting in there,” said Mary Herndon as she exited the shop with a new lamp.

Before the sale, the store was aglow with lights that would later find their way onto dinner tables, desks and front lawns.

Valley Lighting was also the place where studios purchased lighting to be used on television and movie sets.

Stars like Rock Hudson, Barbara Stanwyck and George Clooney have all purchased there.

Ruby Dennis said the hardest part of closing shop is losing the connection with employees and customers.

“The people were always the best part,” she said, wiping her eye. “This was our home, our family.”

The Dennises’ retirement will leave Studio City a little darker.