RAB LED shines on Thatcher McGhee's

The front and back of the restaurant to highlight Thatcher McGhee's signage and thatched roof.

Installation of 11 13 Watt LGOOSE LED fixtures from RAB Lighting (Northvale, New Jersey) to draw positive attention to the restaurant and create a warm and inviting ambiance while minimizing energy and maintenance costs/concerns for the management team.

• Long life span ensures years of operation with minimal maintenance
• Specially-engineered optics, frosted glass lens, and high Color Rendering index (CRI) of 86 enable the LGOOSE fixture to cast smooth, natural, and uniform light with no glare
• Fully-gasketed, chip and fade-resistant, die-cast aluminum housing ensures durability
• RAB 5-year warranty reflects product quality and offers end users security and peace of mind

RAB fixtures were installed by Roland Zimmermann Electrical Contractor Inc. Sloatsburg, NY

As any restaurant owner knows, an inviting atmosphere is critical to a restaurant's success. Which is why the management team at Thatcher McGhee's Irish Pub & Eatery, a popular gathering place and sports bar in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, took great care with their lighting when they opened the restaurant's second branch in nearby Denville in early 2012. Thanks to high-performing, aesthetically-pleasing, and energy-efficient LED fixtures from RAB Lighting, the bright, warm, and welcoming ambiance that Thatcher McGhee's created for patrons is also as environmentally-friendly and "green" as the Emerald Isle itself.

Following the success of its flagship location, no detail was overlooked for the grand opening of Thatcher McGhee's Denville branch in January 2012. "Lighting sets the mood for everything," co-owner and long-time restaurateur Brendan Madden explained. "We can't put enough emphasis on the lighting, especially in the restaurant business."

Seeking a bright and energy-efficient option to light the pub's exterior signage, Madden worked with Sloatsburg, New York-based electrical contracting firm Roland Zimmermann Electrical Contractor Inc. to review their options. After considering several market options, "we really liked RAB's new 13 Watt LED gooseneck lamps," Jason Zimmermann, Principal along with father Roland, said of the ultimate recommendation he made to Madden. "Shortly after RAB introduced its LED gooseneck lamps to the market, we decided to try a few to light the restaurant's front sign and we all agreed that they looked gorgeous at night. We installed five across the front of the restaurant and then installed another six in the back to bring attention to the restaurant's unique thatched roof; we found that they successfully lit the entire area of the roof and looked great," he said.

"RAB's new LGOOSE "gooseneck" LED fixtures offer restaurants like Thatcher McGhee's the perfect combination of vintage appeal and cutting-edge performance and efficiency," confirmed RAB CEO Ross Barna. "Featuring specially-engineered optics, a frosted glass lens, and a high Color Rendering index (CRI) of 86, the LGOOSE casts a smooth, natural, and uniform light with no glare, making it ideal for illuminating and highlighting signage in the retail and hospitality sector. Designed to match the architectural environment of the typical Main Street storefront," he added, "its three decorative shade options support the majority of outdoor retail and hospitality decors in one universal fixture design. At the same time," he continued, "the LGOOSE's 13 Watt LED technology delivers more than 80% energy savings relative to an equivalent 75 Watt incandescent option and provides many years of maintenance-free light output without compromising quality of light."

Used with a photosensor that activates them after dusk, "RAB's LGOOSE fixtures offer Thatcher McGhee's the old-style gooseneck charm consistent with the restaurant's theme and decor, but they're efficient and long-lasting too, which are important factors," Zimmermann said, "because nobody wants to be changing bulbs 30+ feet up on a regular basis."

Following their smooth installation in March 2012, response to the gooseneck LEDs by Thatcher McGhee's employees and patrons has been nothing but glowing. "The lights create a warm ambiance and their spread and coverage area are excellent," Zimmermann said. Restaurant co-owner Madden fully agrees. "They accent the building perfectly with a beautiful wash of light and draw attention in a very high-quality way," Madden said. "As soon as we put them up, we heard positive feedback about how great they looked."

Delighted with their lighting choice, Thatcher McGhee's' newest location has met with tremendous success so far and the building's appealing LED technology has contributed to making this cozy, casual, and sustainable eatery a go-to spot for diners far and wide. "Lighting is huge in the restaurant business," Madden concluded, "and based on their quality, efficiency, long life, and cost, these RAB LEDs are the way to go."