About Us
Richards Lighting is a staple of the Huntsville business community, and its history is deeply intertwined with the city’s rapid growth during the "Space Race" of the 1960s. Founded by Richard and Barbara Lapidus, the business has remained family-owned and operated for over 60 years.
The Early Years and the "Moon Race" (1963)
In the spring of 1963, Richard and Barbara Lapidus moved from Birmingham to Huntsville. At the time, Huntsville was exploding with new residents—engineers and scientists moving to town to work for NASA and the burgeoning space program. These newcomers were building homes at a record pace, and all of those homes needed lighting.
The Commute:
Before the first physical store was fully established, Richard Lapidus was known for driving a branded panel truck back and forth between Birmingham and Huntsville to supply local builders. That was the first time "Richards Lighting" appeared in public.
The Move:
On July 6th, 1963, Richard and Barbara relocated to Huntsville in order to open a new business. Their son, Bradley Stephen Lapidus, was born on September 17, 1963, and along with their three-year old, Jeff, they moved to Jeffrey Drive.
The Location:
The location for the business was a weed field a bit outside of town, but deciding it had possibilities, Richard began building.
The Launch:
On September 27, 1963, Richards Lighting Distributors, Inc. officially opened its doors on North Memorial Parkway. The initial team consisted of just four people: Richard, a bookkeeper, and two stockroom employees.
Growth and Expansion
As Huntsville grew, so did the business. Michael was born on April 20, 1966. Within its first 15 years, the original building on Memorial Parkway underwent two major expansions. However, by the late 1970s, city infrastructure changes (specifically rumors of new road construction) prompted the family to move.
- University Drive: In October 1978, the company moved to its current location at 1811 University Drive N.W.
- Scale: The new facility originally featured an 8,000-square-foot showroom. Over the decades, it has expanded into a 30,000-square-foot facility to accommodate an increasingly massive inventory of lighting and accessories.
Industry Recognition and Legacy
By the 1980s and 90s, Richards Lighting was recognized nationally within the industry.
- Media Coverage: In May 1980, the store was the cover story for Home and Lighting Accessories magazine. A decade later, the same publication referred to it as "the store that has everything."
- Hall of Fame: In 1994, Richard Lapidus was inducted into the Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association Hall of Fame for his contributions to the local building industry.
Serving the Customer
Whether in our showroom or at your job site, we’re prepared to discuss the best ways to meet your lighting needs. We can recommend specific modern light fixtures, from developing or critiquing electrical plans to walking through your home or garden and selecting the best lighting applications. We’re at your service. And, with four full-time delivery vehicles on call, we’ll get your merchandise to you at your convenience.
Recognized in the past by the Chamber of Commerce as "Small Business of the Year," we are poised to continue serving this community for years to come. With the mission of making your homes and businesses beautiful and bright, Richards Lighting is proud to be the best local lighting showroom in Huntsville. Stop by today!
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Richards Lighting is the premier lighting store in Huntsville. Shop online, or stop by today!
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