THE LIGHTS OF OCONEE SHOWROOM EVOKES THE FEELING OF HOME, AND THAT’S BY design. Located in the Harmony Crossing Shopping Center at Lake Oconee, the 8,000-square-foot store showcases a wide variety of eye-catching lighting fixtures, home décor, plumbing and hardware. Customers have been known to spend upward of two hours perusing the array of elegant and on-trend choices—and mingling with the veteran members of staff who are dedicated to offering a custom experience that the cookie-cutter competition can’t match. Featuring the finest brand names in all its categories, Lights of Oconee is an established fixture in the fabric of the Eatonton area and is widely known to virtually all of eastern Georgia and beyond.

Now in its second generation of family ownership, Lights of Oconee is under the stewardship of owner and general manager Lowell White III. “We’ve been family-owned since 2004. We pride ourselves with offering professional and friendly advice to our customers from the beginning of a project to its completion,” White says. “We’re dedicated to ensuring our customer’s home reflects their lifestyle. Whether you’re a builder, designer or simply purchasing one or two items, we are here to make your shopping experience exceptional. With more than 80 years of collective experience, our sales consultants are incredibly knowledgeable and equipped.”

Located a little over an hour from Atlanta, Lake Oconee and its surroundings offer residents a retreat from the hustle and bustle of Georgia’s capital city. “I grew up in this area,” says White. His father built the Harmony Crossing Shopping Center in 2004 as a one-stop venue for all things related to the myriad of new homes and businesses under construction in the area. White’s parents opened Lights of Oconee, which quickly became a cornerstone business in both the shopping center and Lake Country at large.

Following his graduation from Georgia Tech with a degree in construction management, White joined his father and another business partner to build custom homes, which ranged in size from 4,000 to 8,000 square feet, at Lake Oconee.

Though White wasn’t initially involved in the retail side of Lights of Oconee, he was very familiar with the family business. “My mom worked hard to see Lights of Oconee succeed, and her perseverance is an inspiration,” he says. “My building company did the buildout for the showroom. We wanted the store to reflect the design sensibilities of our customers and make it feel like home.” White and his construction team finished the showroom with custom-designed cabinets, coffered ceilings and wood columns throughout. “Every time there was a remodel that required rearranging or adding to the store, I was there,” he adds.

When his mother retired in 2017, White thought it was the perfect time to take over the shop. After years of hard work and accomplishments in the world of custom residential building, he was ready for a new challenge. “I learned as a builder that you have to believe in what you are offering in order to sell,” he says. “For me, that requires a strong team. I was excited by the chance to mentor a staff so that we would all succeed.”

And succeed they did. Since taking over Lights of Oconee, White has seen the store best itself every year. The current team comprises 10 employees, including himself. “It’s definitely a group-effort,” White says. “I truly value the opinion of every employee in our store. Our success is all because of our team’s hard work.”

Lights of Oconee sources classic and cutting-edge designs from more than a hundred vendors; each salesperson is fully knowledgeable of the store’s inventory. “We pride ourselves on always being able to find what you’re looking for,” White says. “Each customer works with a dedicated salesperson for their project. We’re very thorough. We’re more than a showroom; we get you from your first sketched design to wiring and installation to ongoing maintenance and future renovation work. We work with builders, homeowners and designers with the same attention and care, no matter what stage of the project you’re in. We’re not just a filling station where you pump your own gas; we’re full-service.”

The showroom features many luxury and designer brands, including Currey & Company, Hubbardton Forge, Hudson Valley Lighting and Visual Comfort, many of which feature custom-made fixtures. The showroom offers both indoor and outdoor fixtures, as well as fans and landscape lighting.

When not working directly with customers, the Lights of Oconee team is researching lighting trends and making sure the store is up to date with the latest in design, fixtures and finishes. “Every home is unique, and we want your lighting to reflect your style,” White says.

From showstopping chandeliers to sleek modern sconces, Lights of Oconee takes care to illuminate every space thoughtfully and in line with its customers’ design sensibilities. While the showroom offers a dazzling display of lighting big and small, Lights of Oconee houses most of its inventory in a warehouse located about a mile from the showroom.

“When a customer needs something immediately, it’s convenient to have our warehouse so accessible,” notes White.

The one-on-one attention Lights of Oconee gives its customers builds strong relationships, which bring homeowners back to shop for projects beyond the lake. “We’re fortunate to have customers who return to us when they’re building vacation homes in the mountains or undergoing renovations here at home,” White says. Lights of Oconee has consulted on home designs and shipped products all over the world. White says, “Whether you’re in Wyoming or the Bahamas, we can send our lights and hardware directly to you.”

The store is a member of the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association (LOABA), Home Builders Association of Georgia (HBAG) and American Lighting Association, as well as the Eatonton Chamber of Commerce and the Greene County Chamber of Commerce. The company also participates in the local homebuilder’s show, The Big Event, which White says has grown as greatly as the area has.

Lights of Oconee has also grown right along with the community. What started as a lighting showroom has now expanded to include plumbing fixtures, bathtubs, bath vanities, door and cabinet hardware, and small furniture and décor. Other local vendors have found a home in the showroom, too. “We work to build strong relationships with other companies and builders in our area, and our reputation has attracted great neighbors,” White says. “For example, G&S Gas and Pella Windows & Doors are right next door to us in the shopping center. We want our customers to find everything they need, right here at home.”

The dream is to continue expanding within the state of Georgia and open a second location in nearby Athens. No matter how big the company grows, Lights of Oconee will always serve Lake Oconee first and foremost.

“We have exciting plans for the future,” White shares. “I’m looking forward to another 20 years of our amazing team working to bring the best in lighting and design to our clients.” *

Ellen Uribe is an award-winning journalist and a communications expert. She is a sought-after speaker, participating as a moderator and panelist at numerous industry events, conferences and broadcast outlets. She has contributed to Vanity Fair, Palm Beach Life, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Women’s Wear Daily and Time Magazine.