Brothers’ lighting business enduring

When a large competitor moved next door recently, Dunedin people began going into Gordon Crichton Lighting worried it was shutting.

"Because we’ve been so established over the years we’ve had a lot of local people just popping in and wondering how we’re going, not even buying lights," Gordon Crichton co-owner Stephen Facer said.

"They’re wondering what’s going on next door," he said.

"We’re doing fine. Keep supporting us."

Gordon Crichton in Crawford St is likely the last major independent lighting store in the South Island.

It is owned by twins Stephen and Allan Facer.

The first Gordon Crichton Lighting opened in George St in 1936 and was bought by Graeme Facer — Stephen and Allan’s father — in 1975.

Stephen joined the business in the late 1980s and Allan also joined a few years later.

"What’s happened is a lot of the independent stores like ourselves over the years have just finished up," he said.

"[They] have been taken up by your likes of Lighting Direct and what have you."

Stephen said he and Allan decided to go into the niche lighting market about 10 years ago and that was what had kept them competitive.

"We completely changed from what we had in the past, which was trying to cater for everybody.

"We’ve gone more ... designer type lighting, bit more higher end. Stuff you won’t see anywhere else."

Lighting Direct moved into premises next door to Gordon Crichton in February, raising the alarm for locals who thought it could mean the end for the Facers and their store.

"It was initially [frustrating]," Stephen said.

"It seems to be working well. We’re sort of working in together because we’re two different markets."

Gordon Crichton had access to top lighting manufacturers around the world such as Hinkley and Hubbardton Forge.

"They’re modern day blacksmiths," Stephen said.

"The quality in this stuff ... is quite amazing."

They also offered custom light shades and LED lights.

"The difference is you can now design fittings with all these different shapes and designs with LED," Stephen said.

When Graham Facer bought the business it was a wholesaler, but it had changed with the times.

"In the last 20 years it’s solely been in lighting," Stephen said.

They used to drive around supplying lighting shops throughout the South Island.

"Most of them have disappeared so we had to open up to the public.

"It’s full on retail now."