Sturt Street lights up with handmade candle shop

RECENTLY established specialty store, The Essential Candle Co. is hoping to provide a different experience for candle lovers in Ballarat.

Located in the 600 block of Sturt Street, The Essential Candle Co. owner Kristine Macfarlane said they had anticipated a busy opening on Saturday due to the immense community support they had previously received.

“I launched in February and we did a market at Lucas and had only 100 people like our page which was mainly family and friends,” she said.

“Then overnight, we got 8000 likes from all over the state and we attracted 16 wholesale companies which I didn’t expect to happen.

“There are so many candle companies and they’ve chosen us, I feel really blessed that that’s happened.”

While on maternity leave late last year, Ms Macfarlane took the time to invest into her budding business idea and research candles.

Even before this point, she said it was something that she was always interested in.

“I researched a lot about what I was actually breathing in when I was burning a candle that wasn’t pure soy or good fragrance,” she said.

“There’s a lot of candles that you can burn can affect the air in terms of the pathogens in the soy or the wax.

“Learning this made me want to create my own product that would be safe and friendly for babies and animals and adults.”

While the candle industry is already pretty saturated with a myriad of brands, Ms Macfarlane said her approach to natural and locally sourced ingredients is what sets The Essential Candle Co apart.

“Our Australian Bush is our most popular candle, everything except for the rose buds we collect locally and dehydrate ourselves,” she said.

“All of the products are made by me, the candles and wax melts are our biggest sellers but we also have soaps, laundry crystals, body washes, room sprays, carpet deodoriser, bath salts, and soaks.

“We also stock some local stuff as well including Unique Blends botanical tea and Foil by Sammy is who does the foiled cards and all the cards for our candles as well.

At the rear of the store space is a viewable pouring room where Ms Macfarlane hopes to take candle and wax melt pouring workshops and classes.

Once restrictions ease, she said the workshops would be perfect for a fun activity, a party or even a hen’s day and would be a first for the city.

“There’s no candle making classes or workshops or anything specific to Ballarat made products,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to showcase where it gets made and that it’s all here.”

Reflecting on the path taken to opening her own physical store, Ms Macfarlane said she hoped to reach out to the Ballarat community and thank everyone for the opportunity.

“It’s not even about getting our brand out there, I just want to thank everyone,” she said.

“There are a lot of small businesses at the moment who have really needed the support so it’s been phenomenal to receive the feedback and business we have and I know we’re not alone.”