functionality and uniqueness. So Munoz set off to source bath towels and
clocks from Japan, lighting from Denmark and Israel, picture frames from
Poland, Belgian linen bedding woven and stone washed in Portugal...the
list goes on. If it’s something you can’t find in a larger store or on Amazon,
chances are you can find it at Port of Raleigh. To balance out the aesthetic,
Munoz also features local artisans and makers in the shop.
Finding these unique products takes talent and patience, which
Munoz apparently has in spades. “Initially, I had a list of
companies I wanted to reach out to. I’d been preparing
for a while,” she says. “From there, I’ve gone on a digital
hunt. Instagram is a great resource. We follow people
who we think have great taste and are on the ground with
makers and new companies in their areas.” In her search,
Munoz is looking for what’s new and what’s first. “Retail
trend-spotting is so exciting,” she says.
Port of Raleigh has to stay on top of its “new” game
as well, she adds, noting that keeping newer products
in place keeps her on her toes. “It’s been an interesting
landscape to see a lot of the brands we’ve introduced
over the past three years start to show up in more stores.
I don’t want to carry products that others are carrying.”
MAKING IT ALL WORK
While finding the cool products is half the battle and much of the fun,
Munoz says, owning a successful shop takes more than that. “This business
brings together all of the things I’m passionate about and things I’ve done
before,” she says. “I enjoy the writing and photography, but to be in
business you also have to be a business person. My brain is equally split.
I knew I could do it myself in the beginning as everything I’ve done in the
past bleeds into what I’m doing now.”
As her family has grown, Munoz has added help in the store, but she
still handles much of the back end. The store has become a destination, as
those who visit tend to come back, tourists and locals alike. For now, one
store is enough, Munoz says. “I want to nurture our store and grow our
online presence.” Port of Raleigh has a website (portofraleigh.co) as well,
which has allowed Munoz to reach a broader audience without expanding
her physical footprint. It works for her, and keeps Port of Raleigh a fun
and balanced adventure.
Capitol Lighting Gallery
Want to know what’s trending in lighting design? If you’re in the Raleigh,
NC, area, the place to visit is Capitol Lighting Gallery, a 6,000-square-foot,
full-range lighting showroom with more than 75 lighting vendors repre-
sented, including Visual Comfort, Kichler, Progress Lighting, Hubbardton
Forge, Littman Bros., Capital Lighting and so many more.
Located on historic Glenwood Avenue, which conveniently connects
with Route 70 (and runs from Asheville to the North Carolina coast),
Capitol Lighting Gallery’s central location has served them well with year-
over-year growth since the start. “Our customer base keeps increasing
all the time,” says Showroom Manager Deb Dorn, noting that the most
effective advertising for the company has been word of mouth.
NEW ON THE SCENE
This retail showroom, owned by Jason Blackwood, opened its doors in
2017 and is already the epitome of lighting design, broken into galleries
that showcase specific companies, such as Hubbardton Forge, or themed
layouts, such as outdoor lighting or chandeliers. Some of its success could
be attributed to its expansive selection and some exclusive partnerships.
For example, Capitol Lighting Gallery is the only lighting showroom in the
area that showcases a Visual Comfort-branded gallery.
The company has also worked with its vendors on showroom layout in
an effort to tell their stories the right way and provide the best experi-
ence for their customers, Dorn says. Lighting at Capitol covers all price
points to appeal to a wide range of buyers. And the continued expansion
of LED lighting has allowed Capitol Lighting Gallery to also become more
design-centric. “LED has opened up the potential for us to offer unique
lighting designs,” Dorn says.
To ensure the company is providing the ultimate selection for its
customers, Capitol Lighting Gallery also personalizes its space with home
accents such as mirrors and original artwork from local artists and artists
out of Georgia, which customers can purchase.KEEPING HAPPY CUSTOMERS
A primary focus at this showroom is customer service and education
about quality and the right lighting for a project. With customers spanning
consumer, designer and builder levels, Dorn says, it’s important to stay
on top of the education and lighting needs of each segment. While the
retailer doesn’t offer installation services, they do provide installer recom-
mendations, and they service the lighting products they sell for a year. As
a two-year-young retailer with five employees, Capitol Lighting Gallery is
carving out its niche in Raleigh and looking toward continued growth. FLDNext stop .... Phoenix, AZ
http://www.furniturelightingdecor.com JUL.19 | 49
Anna Munoz started Port of Raleigh (left) to
bring the global brands and products she’d
found in her travels to the U.S. The shop owner
looks for products that can’t be found at other
retailers and changes her assortment on a
regular basis to keep it fresh for customers.Capitol Lighting Gallery
features 6,000 square feet
of lighting, merchandised
by categories and/or brand.
Artwork in the gallery is from
local artists and adds a custom
appeal to the shop.