UPDATE: Domb Lighting History to be Auctioned Off

Call it another casualty of capitalism.

While the attorney representing the former owners of Domb Lighting and Electrical Supply—which closed its Morris Township store on Ridgedale Avenue in November after over 60 years—wouldn't say what that store's display Ford Model T had been valued at, the piece of automobile history is bound to cost more than the light fixtures the business had sold for four generations.

That car, and everything else at Domb Lighting, will be available to bid at an auction set for 11 a.m. Dec. 12 at the business's former location, 168 Ridgedale Ave.

Domb Lighting's market, high-end designer lighting, just no longer could compete with the competition from the Big Box Stores said attorney Steven Jurista, representing the company's auction.

"Just another casuality of capitalism," he said. "It's been going on for hundreds of years."

In continuous operation since 1949, Jurista said the store closed in November after becoming "insolvent.

"It's a common theme that's been occuring over the last few years," he said. "You have a lot of family-owned businesses subjected to extraneous factors."

Besides Big Box competition, Jurista cited the slowdown in home construction since The Great Recession. "No one is buying lighting," he said. Put those two hurdles together and, "small mom and pop businesses cannot survive," he said.

Domb Lighting has been a fixture in both Morris Township and Morristown for many, many years.

The company's website notes Harry Domb, with father Mark, opened his original location on South Street in Morristown over 60 years ago. The business originally consisted of lighting fixtures, bulbs and replacement glass.  

In 1956, they moved the business to Elm Street. In 1965, they moved to their final location on Ridgedale Avenue in Morris Township. They expanded the business in 1975, adding 8,000 square feet. The final generation of family members joined the business in 1987.

"The family oriented environment hasn't changed since the days the doors opened on South Street," the website reads. "Thanks to a loyal customer base, unique product and a [courteous] and [knowledgeable] staff, Domb Lighting will soon be entering its seventh decade in business and with your continued support hopefully many, many more."

Correction: A previous version of the story listed the auction to be held on Dec. 13. The auction will be held on Dec. 12.