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DENVER -- The light fixtures at Bonnie Brae Lighting and Design are truly one-of-a-kind and the owner knows the history behind all of them.
Chris Bossenbery and his wife, Kim, decided to buy the business three years ago. He has three decades of experience as an electrician and was looking to get out of construction; his wife had experience in the retail industry.
The shop is located off East Ohio Ave. near University, just blocks away from Wash Park. According to Bossenbery, the previous owners repaired everything from lawnmowers to bikes but he decided to specialize in lighting.
"It’s really nice spot, great neighbors, great neighborhood and a lot of construction going on in the neighborhood, so it works out well for us with people wanting to put vintage stuff in these old houses," said Bossenbery.
Bossenbery remodeled the shower four months ago and was planning to stay when he received a notice that the rent was going up.
"The rent prices are in tune for this area of Denver, we just can’t keep up with that without having to raise the prices and we don’t want to do that," said Bossenbery.
Instead of raising the prices, the couple decided to move their store. It wasn't easy to find another location. Bossenbery said other properties in the immediate area were way to expensive for their small business.
They settled on a location in Edgewater, not too far from Sloan's Lake. The moving process has already begun but they won't be in the new store until sometime this fall. Despite leaving the Bonnie Brae location, the shop's name will remain the same too.
Right now Bossenbery is focused on the daunting task of moving his fragile inventory, including anywhere from 80 to 100 crystal chandeliers.
"When we bought the business we had to work with what was here and now with the new space we’re actually going to build it to suit our needs, to make it where we can hang more lighting on the walls," said Bossenbery.
He's hoping the customers will be willing to travel. He believes he's one of the last dedicated lamp repair shops in Colorado.
"I’ve been an electrician for over 30 years and always been into lighting, and I like looking at them and working on them and saving them and bringing them back," said Bossenbery.