Shades of Soho Has It Made With the Shade

Tucked away on Rock Road in the same shopping center that houses CVS is Shades of Soho, a business that has been gaining traction in the community despite a slowing economy for two years by offering a staple in home decor — the lampshade — at an affordable price.

"You would think it would be easy to find a lampshade but I have people coming in here who tell me they go to the big box stores and have a hard time finding a shade for their lamp," said Bryan Kule, the store's owner. "They come in here and see what we have and they are amazed."

According to Kule, customers from New York City to as far down as Delaware travel to him to have a custom-made Shades of Soho shade to cover their lamp. Kule explained that on the store premises, he and his fellow workers handcraft lampshades. Recently, they stepped forward into the lighting business and began constructing their own lamps, too. The Glen Rock showroom has well over 500 shades in stock. Kule handcrafted the chandeliers that hang in the show room and each of them sport the design that is on his own wedding ring.

Kule explained the philosophy is for customers to bring in their own lamp, they are invited to take a seat while his team matches the lamp with a shade. “It is amazing how different a lamp will look because of the shade,” he said. “You can take identical lamps and give them completely different identities thanks to a different shade.”

In a down economy where luxury retailers are suffering as customers pinch pennies, Kule said any customer will be pleased with what is offers. "You would think that something like this would be expensive but our prices are amazing," said Kule. "Our least expensive silk lampshade is only $60."

Kule explained that in 1992 he went to work for a lampshade-making company, eventually buying them out in 2003. Originally, he opened a store in Garfield selling shades but was unsure of its potential in that location. Through advertising, he was able to draw enough attention to keep his business afloat.

“That first day I made $537,” he said. “And we were able to move to a better location in Garfield and did well.”

Then about three years ago, Kule, a Glen Rock resident, was picking up a prescription for his wife at the CVS when he happened by the storefront. “I saw it and inquired and we ended up opening here and since we've opened up, we've had over 6,000 customers.”

Because of the popularity of his store, Kule was able to open another store in Norwood. “We are proud of this and amazed at how well it's working.” 

He said, however, his heart belongs in Glen Rock. “I love taking the long way home at night and see my store lit up from the road, it's amazing,” he said.

He added that customers will feel the same way.

To find out more about Shades by Soho visit their site here.