Since 1951, Service Lighting has provided lighting solutions for over 2,000,000 businesses and homes.
With 73 years in the industry, we went online in 1996 and we are the largest and most respected lighting distributor in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN).
Why choose Service Lighting?
There are many lighting distributors around, so why choose Service Lighting? Service Lighting is one of the nation's oldest and most trusted lighting distributors; we've been providing lighting solutions since 1951 and have been online since 1996 (we were actually the web's very first light bulb store). We have the largest selection of light bulbs and accessories available online! Finally, we offer quality service to every single customer; we even put it in our name! We are dedicated to help you find your lighting solution.


We have always believed that our customers are #1. In stock orders are shipped within just hours. There are no minimums - you can order just one light bulb if you like! If you call us, you will speak to one of our trained and experienced customer service representatives to assist you with all of your lighting needs.


We only represent the best in the lighting industry, with brands like Sylvania, GE and Philips as well as Westinghouse, TCP, Halco and many more. We have over 500 lighting manufacturers that we work with on a daily basis to bring our customers the very best quality, selection and competitive pricing around. This also gives us access to an incredible assortment of LED lighting, light bulbs, fixtures, ballasts, lighting controls and more.

Our History
In 1951, Mel Jacobson started Mel's Van O Lite in the Twin Cities. He stocked light bulbs out of a van -- thus the name. Four years later, Don McLellan became a full partner and their company really started to develop a presence in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. In the 1960's the vans weren't big enough, and they added a warehouse. Mel's Van O Lite had grown into a prime light bulb distributor and during this time period, they relocated facilities twice.


After Mel retired in 1980, Don McLellan continued to run the company with three of his sons, Dave, Tom, and Steve. He changed the name to Van O Lite and the company continued steady, healthy growth. They maintained a reputation with the public of being a great place with friendly people that would help find any lighting product that was needed.


In the 2000s, the company grew so much that it moved from Fridley, MN to a new, larger headquarters in Maple Grove, MN and changed the name to a more modern moniker: Service Lighting. In 2016, Dave retired and his son Paul (who had been working there since 1995) purchased the business.