Decorative Lighting Store Taking Former Gojo Space in Westport

By Kevin Collison

Circa Lighting, a decorative lighting and ceiling fan retail store founded in Savannah, Georgia, will be occupying the former Gojo Japaneses Steak House space on Broadway near Westport.

The steak house closed because of Covid in November 2020 after operating more than 40 years in the building at 4163 Broadway. It’s now being renovated to become the latest store opened by Circa.

“Circa Lighting has 20 locations around the country including the Hamptons and Atlanta,” said Justin Kaufman, principal at Cadence Commercial Real Estate.

“It’s a destination location. It’s something a little different and exciting, there’s nothing like that here.”

Renovation is well underway at the building that housed Gojo Japanese Steak House from 1978 until 2020.

Kaufman and a group of investors bought the former restaurant building two years ago and believed it had the potential to become another food and beverage establishment or a “flagship” retail store.

Circa Lighting was founded in 1998 by Gale Singer, according to the store website. She had worked for Visual Comfort & Co., a leading manufacturer of decorative lighting.

“Recognizing how overwhelming the lighting selection process could be, Gale had a vision to disrupt the way lighting was sold,” according to the website.

“In Savannah, Gale conceived her idea for a well edited lighting showroom where clients could shop in a boutique like atmosphere.”

The building at 4163 Broadway once housed an Oriental rug store in this photo taken circa 1940. (Photo from SixTwentyOne)

The firm describes itself as the premier reseller of Visual Comfort, Tech Lighting, Generation Lighting and Monte Carlo Fans.

Kaufman said the building renovation is expected to be completed in July and the new store   may be open by the holiday season. The value of the building permits was $800,000, according to city records.

The architect is SixTwentyOne the contractor is Wolf21.