Victoria’s retail make-up will shine a little dimmer with the announced closure of one of the region’s most popular and longest-operating interior design outlets.

 

 

After 45 years in business, owner-operator Bob MacRitchie of Illuminations Lighting will be switching off the lights at the company’s two locations, in Saanich along the 600-block of Boleskine Road near Uptown Shopping Centre, and in Nanaimo along the 4300-block of Wellington Road.

 

While closed to customers during COVID-19, both warehouses have been put up for sale to the tune of $3.6 million for the 14,000 square foot Boleskine Road unit and $1.3 million for Nanaimo’s 5,000 square foot space.

 

Speaking on behalf of MacRitchie who along with his wife has been at the helm of Illuminations since 2001, Ross Marshall of commercial real-estate brokerage CBRE Victoria says the husband-and-wife team that carried the torch for nearly two decades felt the time was right to step away from the retail scene and to formally enter retirement.

 

“The owners are at the point in their lives where they want to retire, to travel and to enjoy their later years after a long and successful run,” Marshall said. “And with the retail industry on the verge of so many changes, especially with online shopping becoming more prevalent among lighting vendors, the decision to formally close amid COVID-19’s retail restrictions made a great deal of sense.”

 

Victorians and Nanaimoites will still get a chance to tour the Illuminations showrooms and find bargains for their homes or work spaces at upcoming closing out sales.

 

“Once the dust settles and Illuminations is able to re-open its warehouses, there will be an inventory clear-out to move existing inventory,” Marshall says. "Announcements pertaining to the sales are forthcoming."

 

The MacRitchie’s retirement follows the closure of a landmark eatery in Saanich at the University Heights Shopping Centre.

 

J.J. Morgan Restaurant announced in February it would close this spring after decades in business along McKenzie Avenue at Cedar Hill Road, so that owner Russel Eng could retire. COVID-19-related social distancing requirements expedited what would have been the last day of operations on April 30th.

 

For enquiries related to Illuminations Lighting's warehouse listings, individuals are encouraged to contact CBRE Victoria.

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