When opportunity knocks, savvy retailers jump. Such was the case this summer when John Billings was searching for additional warehouse space to accommodate a venture into e-tailing and his desire to thin out the inventory at Daylight Home, Lighting and Patio to allow space for special events. What wasn’t in his plans was a second location.

Then he found a warehouse that came with a 25,000-sq.-ft. store. 

“It was just too tempting to pass up,” said Billings, who owns the business with his wife, Suzanna Billings.

 Daylight Home, Lighting and Patio carries a 50/50 mix of outdoor and indoor furniture and accessories. At the current location, outdoor merchandise is displayed in a 40,000-sq.-ft. fenced yard, with the 12,000-sq.-ft. showroom dedicated to indoor furnishings, lighting and barbecue. The new space, located about 30 miles north in Paso Robles, will echo the 50/50 mix but with a significant difference — all but a few outdoor sets will be displayed inside.

“We haven’t sold outdoor in an indoor space since the ’80s so I’m kind of excited to try that,” Billings said.

Given the proximity of the two locations, Billings acknowledges that the new store might pirate some of his existing customers but he also believes that the expanded display area will encourage regulars to visit both stores. As has been the trend for the retailer, Billings believes special orders will drive at least half of the sales.

“Most of our customers would rather order what they want,” he said. “They aren’t persuaded by a big discount to buy something that we are trying to move.” 

Billings is uncertain when the new store will open in light of the hurricane damage his family’s Hawaiian property sustained in August, but future recognition of this two-time Apollo Award nominee will be in the multi-store category.