One of the side benefits to running around putting together the BRO gift guide is catching up with numerous start-up businesses to see how far they have come. Today I paid a visit to Candles by Christina – a business that I first covered a little over a year ago (see here). My visit was supposed to culminate with a highlight in the gift guide, but after seeing how far Christina and her husband Gabrieli had come, in such a short time, I figured that I would turn the gift feature into a business spotlight.
First off, the store looks incredible, with wall-to-wall candles of all shapes, sizes, colors and scents. I was also surprised to see that the couple’s candle making operation had been brought in-house. In the corner, near the display window, sat a large wax melting machine, along with a rack of hand-dipped candles and a vat of cold water (used to cool the candles in-between dips). Business has been so brisk that the couple decided that they would need to move the candle operation out of their kitchen and bring it to Elmwood. I love that all of the “tools of the trade” are now visible. Christina told me that after the shop closes today, she plans on getting busy with candle making – by the end of the night she will restock three of the most popular scented candles of the season – Egyptian amber, oak moss and amber, and blue spruce.
Some of the new twists that Christina and Gabrieli have incorporated into the retail business start with their ability to fill custom containers. They even have the tools to remove glass tops from beer and wine bottles in order to upcycle them into candles. Then, in February, they will be introducing workshop classes into their repertoire. One of the classes will allow customers to create multi-color layered candles out of mold dips, which they will then be able to carve into various shapes and designs. Customers will also be able to hand dip their own taper candles, which is a fun, interactive idea. “This will be great for kids, couples and friends,” Christina told me. “We have had such incredible support from neighbors and the community, and we are doing everything possible to give back to those that support us. We feel that these classes will be very popular.” Gabrieli added, “We’ve also met a number of soap and candle makers along the way, and we want to feature some of their products during the classes. It’s a way for us to pay it forward.”
Pay it forward indeed. These are the types of grassroots business stories that make me happy. A lovely young couple builds a candle business out of their kitchen. They open a candle store on Elmwood despite the ferocious competition from on-line and malls. They reinvest in their business, creating more scents and styles. They incorporate programming to bring the community together. “We’re also launching a brand new luxury line of candles called Viniche,” added Christina. “They will have unique fragrances that can’t be found in the Candles by Christina line. We also just launched a new product – reed diffuser oils, and we’re trying out some incense made by a national company. If they do well in the store, then we will make our own.” Smart.
If you ask me, I would say that Christina and Gabrieli are living a dream. They love what they do, and their passion shows. That’s the best part of supporting the growing grassroots businesses that we find right in our own neighborhoods. The next time you stop into a candle shop at the mall, remember that this little shop packs an aromatic punch the rivals the best!
Candles by Christina | 1006 Elmwood Ave | Buffalo, New York 14222 | Phone (716) 887-8365 | Facebook