Lake Shore Studios

Have you noticed the beautiful lampshades on the sconces in the Riley Center?  Made in Meridian.  Beautiful, handmade lampshades in many major hotels and casinos around the world?  Made in Meridian.  And when a single, custom-made lampshade was desperately needed for a special Christmas present, they made it, too!  On site, here in Meridian.  Since 1979, Lake Shore Studios has been manufacturing hardback lampshades.  They also import their own line of lampshades and lighting kits.  This is a unique business, here in Meridian, because they are producing one of the few things that is still handmade.  A big retailer in Atlanta chose to drop every other lampshade manufacturer and only use Lake Shore Studios.  That says a lot about their quality and their service. 

Because of the uniqueness of making lampshades, most people don’t even know this company is here.  Lake Shore Studios was founded by Burt Carle and then sold to his son, Jimmy Carle.  In 2015, the company was bought by the Rea family.  John Rea and Meredith Rea Roberts have been running the day to day operations since then.  Meridian is their hometown, so doing business here is good for them and good for the community. “We have really good employees; some having worked here for over 30 years”, says Roberts, “and our location makes shipping all over the Southeast very affordable for many of our customers.  Plus, we’re easily accessible to our suppliers”.

Lake Shore’s best advice to small business owners is to continue to look for different avenues to reach new markets.  Whether it be combining online opportunities with your brick and mortar business or finding new marketing techniques, stay relevant.  And join the Chamber!  Support your community!  Lake Shore Studios believes in contributing to an entity that represents small businesses and has their best interest in mind.  And be a company that fills the needs of big business, but doesn’t forget the little guy.  That’s real success!