The Village Lamp Lighter began as a "crazy" idea in the 1960's. On the family lot a storage building was built with lumber left over from an aunt's house. After being in the lighting business for 30 years with other companies Tom Bowman decided to start his own business with his son Bruce. Lampshades, lamps, lighting, and repair work have always been the store's focus. The Village Lamp Lighter has grown in size since its beginning in 1968; it now covers the front half of a city block and has about 3500 sq. ft. of display. It has become a well-known name in the Central Texas area as travelers stop in from all over the state of Texas and the United States.