Lights go down on Charlottetown's Burke Electric after 68 years

A long-time Charlottetown business, Burke Electric, is going out of business after 68 years.

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The lighting fixture and repair store first set up shop in Charlottetown on University Avenue in 1948, then moved to Kent St., finally settling in its current location on Queen Street in 1970.

"I feel good about it," owner Rob Brown told CBC News. "It was time for a change." Brown has worked at the business since 1991 and purchased it eight years ago.

To grow the business, Brown said he felt he'd have to move it out of downtown Charlottetown.

'Parking is an issue'

"Parking is an issue," Brown said. Lack of parking, especially in the busy summer tourist season, means "many people stay away from the downtown," he said. Whereas customers seem willing to walk long distances in shopping malls, he said, they prefer to park close to storefront businesses.

Remaining inventory is reduced by at least 50 per cent, Brown noted.

Burke Electric will close its doors to customers Friday, Nov. 25.

Brown plans to retire, at least for now, he said, adding he wants to thankeveryone for their support over the years.

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