Nothing But Good Thoughts Of The North Loop, Says Departing Businessman
After 31 years at the corner of 2nd Street North and 3rd Avenue North, one of the neighborhood’s longest-running retailers, Lappin Lighting, will close for good at the end of this month.
Rick Lappin started managing his family’s lighting showroom here in 1989 when the area was much less active and appealing. “When we were first here, the North Loop was in pretty bad shape,” he said.
Rick Lappin
But as developers started building lofts and condos here in the early 2000s, his sales soared and Lappin attracted lighting clients from around the metro. “We’ve done a number of restaurants in town, we’ve done a number of really nice homes on the lake,” he said. “We’ve done some celebrity stuff.”
He sold the business to JH Larson in 2007 during the recession and continued to operate it here as Lappin Lighting for the past 13+ years. But then came the one-two punch of a pandemic and civil unrest in 2020 which led to layoffs and lengthy closures. And now, JH Larson has decided not to renew Lappin’s lease in the building, which is up in May.
“It’s been a long but nice journey in the North Loop,” said Lappin, “and I’m glad we were part of it.”
He said he’s not yet ready to retire. He and Susan Worsham–the first employee he hired in the North Loop–will both continue to work with a different lighting organization in town.
The last day for the shop will likely be March 31st. Between now and then, they’re running a 75% off sale.
The building’s owner is now actively seeking a new tenant for the space.
Susan Worsham
By Mike Binkley, North Loop Neighborhood volunteer