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pine lighting
Shine Bright in Newton
It’s not often that your competition is what inspires you to start and grow your business, but for Dave and George Guthrie, hard-working young electricians working in Surrey, that’s exactly what happened.
It was the late 1970s, and Dave’s many friends in the industry encouraged him to start up a lighting business. They promised that they’d be loyal customers, and over 40 years later, Pine Lighting has grown from a small basement operation to three large stores in B.C. It’s still a family-run business, with three generations involved over the years. Dave’s daughter Kiersten Hincks runs the Kelowna store; Andrea is at the Victoria store, and Erin McNab and Robert Guthrie are working in the Surrey store where Dave still works daily. His brother George works in the warehouse.
Their first store was in Newton because they considered the area the “centre of Surrey” and the affordable rents were available. They named the store ‘Pine Lighting’ after the stand of pine trees across the street.
The early ‘80s were a tough place to be in the business world, with double-digit mortgages and real estate failures a daily occurrence.
They weathered that storm and a few others over the years by exercising a simple mission that begins with communication—getting to know his customers and responding to them.
Pine Lighting has an outstanding reputation for understanding customer needs and incorporating them into what’s available in the
store. “We don’t really have ‘sales’ because we keep our product at an affordable price point. We’ve also adapted our inventory by
listening and responding to our customer’s lighting preferences.”
When Guthrie started the business in the 1970s, Surrey’s average home was a small footprint, rancher, or basement home. That’s changed a lot over the years, with new neighbours from all over the world making Newton their home and creating a niche market for different styles of interiors and exterior lighting designs.
“That’s where we’ve changed over the years. Our customers have become good friends, and we’ve listened to what they are looking for.” Dave said.
That’s what makes Pine Lighting unique in many ways. They know their neighbourhood, and what suits their customer, providing unique and beautiful lighting choices at an affordable price point. Lighting has also changed on the environmental front. Did you know that lighting can be one of your highest energy costs and your greatest opportunity for savings? Good lighting design and fixtures contribute to your general comfort and health. Consider replacing incandescent lamps in pot lights and general lighting fixtures with LED lamps.
These lamps use 75% less energy while lasting at least 15 times longer, considerably reducing maintenance costs. Pine Lighting has a massive selection of LED lights to fit your purpose.
As you enter, the first thing you notice is how large the store is and how much choice you are presented with. From exterior sconces, table lamps and pendants to four foot long chandeliers, and traditional looks to the latest in contemporary lighting, you are guaranteed a superb shopping experience.
Whether you’re a builder needing lighting for a hotel or multiple unit townhouse, opening a restaurant and want the perfect mood lighting, or just renovating your bathroom and need above mirror lighting, you’ll discover choices and people who can assist you in making your experience a seamless and stress-free one.
“Our staff is very experienced and friendly, and it’s hard during these Covid-19 times to not want to reach out right away when a customer comes in. But we respect and recognize the need for safety and a private shopping experience. But feel free to bring your questions. We’re here to help.”
Pine Lighting carefully follows all of the retail Covid-19 protocols. This year, they also made things easier for the customers, contractors, and designers they deal with by also offering online sales through an extensive catalogue and curbside pickup.
Over 8,000 items can be searched for online by style, finish, or room. Whether you are looking for a brand-name light or a one-of-a kind lighting fixture, browse their online catalogue or visit them at Pine Lighting and join their thousands of satisfied customers of over 40 years.