Who Are We
Welcome. Lightworks was started as a hobby business by Charles and Kathryn Dailey in 1997. We began our little venture by repairing and restoring antique and vintage light fixtures. When we secured an account from a national restaurant chain in 1999, our hobby turned into a full-fledged business. Our first rented space was on the fourth floor of the 100-year-old Rock Island Building (now Security Lofts Building) located in the historic NorthLoop warehouse district in downtown Minneapolis. As our business grew, we added our first employee, the remarkable Eric. Years later, his younger brother, Mike, started working for us. Our latest employees, Vince and Jack, are amazing additions to our staff, and their innovations have allowed us to produce some astounding lighting. Our recent move in 2018 to our current location at 1325 Winter Street N.E. was trying but well worth it. We love our new Northeast neighborhood!
In June of 2001, a customer asked us to build a light fixture appropriate to her local prairie style home. Before we knew it we were offering over 250 customized historic reproduction models. Our current line-up of fine employees are the dedicated and talented people who are responsible for providing our customers with the unique light fixtures you will find only at Lightworks.
What We Do
Unique and practical lighting combine as one at Lightworks. We offer a diverse assortment of restored antique lighting and a distinctive collection of over 250 custom-made historic reproduction chandeliers, sconces, pendants, flush mount fixtures, and schoolhouse styles all designed and built on-site by our staff. We also design and build modern one-of-a-kind custom-made lighting fixtures. In addition, we offer full repair, rewiring, restoration and refinishing services. We are one of the only UL rated repair shops in the area.
With our firm commitment to the health of our employees and our planet, we strive to use environmentally-safe finishes and lacquers wherever possible and encourage our customers to re-use what they already have in their homes or to restore whatever treasures they have found elsewhere.
Designing your own light fixture is encouraged here. While most customers choose our standard models, many others freely alter our ready-made fixtures, bring in their own drawings, or combine elements from fixtures they find here, in other stores, or in magazines, catalogs and online. Our customers have a vast selection of designs, finishes, glass shades, and art glass from which to choose for their custom projects. Complete lighting repair and restoration services are also available at our UL listed shop.