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A Lamp & Fixture Shoppe
Categories: Shopping Antiques Home Services Lighting Fixtures & Equipment Antiques, Lighting Fixtures & Equipment [Edit]
3181 N Elston Ave(between California Ave & Belmont Ave)
Chicago, IL 60618
Neighborhood: Avondale
(773) 866-0220
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Sat 9 am - 3 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
Daniele T. said: "This is the 4th time I trust 3 Day Blinds to help me with my window treatments. They have high quality products and their price is exceptional for the value you get. I have had a wonderful buying experience every time I have used…" read more »
18 reviews for A Lamp & Fixture Shoppe
18 reviews in English
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Review from Joseph H.
Chicago, IL
1/2/2012
What makes for a "5"? They've got what you need or want, and they're the first, maybe only place you think off. That's how I feel about A Lamp and Fixture Shoppe (ALS). I've patronized ALS since I bought my place in Avondale 1991 - I've purchase most of my ceiling fixtures from them, I've had six or seven desk lamps repaired by them, and I've purchased lamps from them. At this point I don't bother to go anywhere else. I give them an unqualified "5".
ALS's specialty is antique and reproduction indoor electric lighting (ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, desk lamps, floor lamps, and shades). There are several hundred on display, the great majority dating to the first half of the 20th century. Some are one-of-kind; some turn up regularly; others are still in production. ALS is a "lamp shop", not an "antique store", and it's reflected in price. You'll pay a reasonable price for quality merchandise. You won't have to pay a premium for lamps that match your molding. If your building pre-dates World War 2, and you want period appropriate fixtures, A Lamp Shoppe is hands-down the first place you should go.
ALS also repairs lamps; they have a large on-site stock of spare and replacement parts and can fix and clean up anything you might bring in. They replace cracked or frayed wire, attach new wall plugs, or rebuild old lamps from top down. They've done simple repairs while I wait. I've never had a problem with anything they've worked on. Before you toss out a broken lamp, bring it to them.
I've patronized A Lampe Shoppe for twenty years and had maybe two dozen interactions with them. There's never been any variation in quality or service; I've always come away satisfied. I recommend them without hesitation.
PS: It only looks like you'll have to park 2 blocks away, there a lot in back. Just take the alley. -
Review from MARIA O.
Updated - 12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yay!! My 100th review! What an honor to be able to review a business as fantastic as this for my 100th.
Outstanding service once again. I brought a lamp in with a damaged plug. They fixed it in less than 3 minutes and when I told them I needed to use a credit card to pay because I wasn't carrying any cash, the guy helping me said "don't worry about it, just drop it off next time you're around". Awesome!
i will surely keep coming back here.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/21/2011
I inherited some old lamps with the home I purchased but I hated the old, outdated lampshades. I… Read more »
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Review from Gino Y.
Evanston, IL
4/7/2012
Wonderful staff. Nice selection that always changes of floor lamps and hanging lamps and chandeliers.
I went in today to buy a floor lamp. Someone was there to help me match the lamp shade, show me how bright each shade would appear with the different watt bulbs that were there, and when I agreed to buy the lamp, she went to her manager and gave me a discount! Then when I was about to pay, she gave me another discount on the lamp shade!! Then the manager threw in the right light bulb for free!
They didn't have to do that, I was going to buy the lamp regardless, and I was saving money compared to the standard furniture places. However, that little stunt will make me a repeat customer. I'll be back, and next time I may just pay full retail! Support local business, especially when their service is phenomenal! -
Review from Carolynne M.
Chicago, IL
12/6/2010 1 photo
It is getting harder and harder to find places that do quality repair work, and I am so glad I found this place! I usually buy vintage lamps, which means they either need re-wiring, new shades, new switches, etc. I managed to score a pair of stunning alabaster lamps from the 1950's for an embarrassingly low price, but they needed shades and rewiring. This shop not only had the repair done in a week, they also whipped out the exact style of shade I had been imagining on the first try!
Awesome. Very, very pleased. Will absolutely be giving them more work in the future!Listed in: Raindrops on Roses and…
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Review from Andrew L.
Chicago, IL
11/5/2011
Just been in here once, but couldn't be more impressed.
I walked in with a lamp repair half an hour before closing on a Saturday. Despite the shop being filled with customers, they were able to replace my broken switch on lamp within minutes, for $10 including parts.
I missed it first time, but they have a dedicated parking lot too, which is good considering their location at a busy intersection. -
Review from Nancy C.
Chicago, IL
1/21/2012
Very helpful staff, great selection of shades and a pleasure to deal with in terms of customer service. Can't recommend them highly enough. Be sure to bring in the lamp that you want a shade for and they will help you pick the perfect one. It's nice to support a small business like this that has such incredible expertise.
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Review from S R.
Chicago, IL
9/14/2011
I went to A Lamp because I really needed some professional "lamp advice". I am in the building business, I actually know what I am doing. They had no idea who I was, but could not have been more helpful. After they spent time and fixed my fixture and then gave me a part to solve my problem, they really didn't want to even charge me. I convinced them to charge me something so they said " how about 2 dollars?".
I can't even buy a coffee for 2 dollars. They were awesome, friendly, helpful and smiled the whole way with me. What a great place and so friendly. By the way, they really helped me out and saved me a huge hassle and a lot of money. Kudos to A Lamp. Friendly, competent and helpful. I am very appreciative! -
Review from David L.
Chicago, IL
7/16/2008
I took a modern imported lamp in for a switch repair. They said it might take a week to get the parts.
At the same time, I took in a rare antique "motion" lamp for rewiring and to see if they could fix the old motor. I was told they'd see what they could do.
The next day, I received a call. Both were done!
They found parts on hand for the imported lamp, and, easily rewired and repaired the motor on the antique.
Pricey? Maybe. But, you get what you pay for. Fast, reliable service from a very nice staff.
My compliments. -
Review from Jack P.
6/8/2011
I dunno...am I allowed to review a place with which I had such a brief and fleeting encounter? "Cause that's what happened when I brought a couple of non-working lamps here. Got estimates within minutes. Decided to only fix one of them. The helpful repair guy there offered to fix my lamp while I waited. What? Are you kidding me? And he did fix it in the five to ten minutes it took me to browse through all the lamp shades, lamps, the display of endless finials, and other ceiling and wall lighting fixtures they have for sale. $30 to fix a 20-year-old lamp which I like and for which I paid around $100 originally did not seem bad. (Of course if I figured out the hourly rate, it might be more like a lawyer's, but i didn't really care.) I told the guy that his place was the lamp equivalent of fast food. Faster service I have not experienced in a long time. What a nice surprise.
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Review from Jana I.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 12/30/2011
Paul - Read what I have written. I decided to keep the shades but ASKED FOR HELP since you guys are supposed to be the experts!!! Please don't lie. Firstly it was NOT crushed. Secondly, the main reason for my writing this review is NOT product quality/defect. It is because of your attitude. You literally put your hand in front of your employee's face (asking her to shut up) and interjected yourself into our conversation. You had no business telling me to throw them in the garbage. Rude. Uncultured. UnAmerican!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/27/2011
My husband and I decided to go to this store to purchase lamp shades after reading rave reviews… Read more »
Comment from Paul s. of A Lamp & Fixture Shoppe 12/30/2011
I'm Paul, the owner. The customer returned a pair of shades… More » -
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Review from Jen D.
Chicago, IL
7/8/2011
Paul is fantastic! He replaced a switch on one lamp while we waited and then spent lots of time trying different shades on another. He was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and laughed along with us. He also helped mom find a reading lamp for her bedroom (something she's been searching for for several years). The prices are amazing, too. Aside from great customer service, these people know their craft. It was worth every penny and the long bus ride.
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Review from E. Q.
Chicago, IL
11/23/2010
They rewired one ceiling fixture for me and explained in depth why the 2nd one was probably not worth spending the money on rewiring it. I got a quote for the rewiring job before they started, so there were no unpleasant surprises. The turn-around time was pretty quick (2 days.) I would definitely recommend A Lamp & Fixture for any lighting repairs. They also seemed to have a lot of lighting fixtures for sale. There is a private parking lot directly behind the store if you turn in off Belmont.
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Review from Lisa P.
Corte Madera, CA
11/27/2010
The Wednesday before thanksgiving my lamp and I took a cab ride to this shop. They fit me in knowing I had a cab running. It took him a second to figure out the problem, did not charge me. I tried to buy 2 light bulbs from him for his trouble. They were so sweet and kind. Just like an old fashioned shop that cares about his clients.
Love this place! -
Review from Martha C.
Berwyn, IL
4/16/2007
I took two old/antique lamps I own to this shop. They fixed them up for me and I bought two new lampshades that I love. They are like new now- and no danger of being shocked by the newly rewired lamps. Not the cheapest I suppose, but definitely worth it for their expertise.
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Review from Kirsten M.
Chicago, IL
7/19/2008
I have many vintage lamps and light fixtures that have required complete overhauls over the years and I know with confidence that I can walk into this shop and they will do their best to help me. On occasion the parts have been very difficult to find, and if they can't find a match, they usually find a great substitution. Great service and expertise with a smile!
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Review from Lauren T.
Chicago, IL
7/2/2011
I recently bought a vintage lamp knowing that it will need to be rewired. Since I have never done this before, I went to A Lamp and Fixture Shoppe based upon the good reviews on Yelp.
I brought my lamp there and Mike quickly took a look. He gave me a quote of $110. I was a bit shocked at the price and tentatively asked if there was any less expensive option. Mike regretfully said no. At this point, Paul, whom I believe may either be one of the shop owner or manager, chimed in and said "It's the cost of doing business". He quickly became irate at the fact that I was hesitating. His attitute was in effect, take it or leave it.
Ultimately, I decided to get the fixture rewired. Mike spent about 15 minutes to do this and I handed over my credit card for $110.
I left the shop with this sick feeling in my stomach. Although the service was ok, I didn't think it justify the price. In effect, they were charging more than $400 per hour for their labor (the wire and socket could not have been more than $10, I have seen similar ones at the hardware store).
So, the moral of the story for me is that if you have a "prized" fixture and money is no object, then this is a good place to go.
But if you are looking for a reasonably priced lamp shop, I don't believe that this is it. -
Review from Bridgette A.
Chicago, IL
1/30/2011
Took antique chandeliers in for evaluation and waited almost 4 weeks for them to get back to me with an estimate. I had to go elsewhere for the job which was quoted with a less expensive fee for a more complete restoration.
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Review from Joan B.
Chicago, IL
2/1/2009
This is a great store! I took in an old, wrought-iron lamp, which had an a cone-shaped leather-stitched shade, a little too Southwest for my current tastes. I still like the base, though, and was hoping to update it with a more modern, less rustic-looking shade. I checked out various stores and wasn't able to find anything that would work--or even much of a selection. The owner of Scout, a store in Andersonville, told me about this place What a find! Abundant collection of quality shades AND terrific service. I really was a bit clueless as to which size and shape would be best. With the expertise of one of the staff, I went home with the perfect cylindrical shade. True, it's not cheap, but it's not what I'd consider expensive for a shade that really adds to the room's decor.
