The Newsmagazine of Long Beach Island and Southern Ocean County

By Victoria Ford | on June 15, 2022

CREATE A MOOD: Customers choose a jar and play with scent combos to make a unique candle fragrance. (Photo by Sabrina Thomas)

At The Village Candles & Co. in Manahawkin, owner Sabrina Thomas turns candle pouring into a customizable craft and social activity, the likes of which are offered in only a handful of other locations around the country.

Eight years ago when Thomas began pouring and selling her own candles, her plans did not include opening a social candle pouring space. The sudden forced isolation of COVID was the driving factor behind her change in plans.

“I realized I had to do something that would bring people together,” she said.

She saw the community wanted to be together again, so she worked to combine a desire for collaboration with her passion for candle making. She learned there was only one other candle pouring bar in New Jersey – and she made it her mission to become the second.

The interior of The Village Candles & Co. is warm and inviting, with a layout that encourages interaction. A long bar allows for smaller groups, families or pairs, while a series of dining tables provide a space for larger parties.

“When the bar is full, you’ll see all these people talking, sharing fragrances and getting to know each other,” Thomas explained, which is exactly what she had in mind.

Owner Sabrina Thomas just wants to bring people together.

Customers are invited to choose from a variety of different jars to find the perfect exterior for their candle. The next step is to head over to the fragrance wall, where rows of scents are waiting to be explored. A huge part of the fun is playing around with the scents, seeing which mix best together, and ultimately deciding on a one-of-a-kind candle fragrance.

Thomas makes the process simple enough for participants of all ages, making it a viable family activity.

“Paint parties were all the rage for a while, and sure, they’re still popular. But the thing that’s different here is you’re picking what’s unique to you. You pick the fragrances you want. You pick the jars you want.”

Candle pouring offers a more customizable experience than, say, a paint party where the canvases are all the same.

Thomas added candles are universally appreciated as “the perfect housewarming gift or birthday present. The hand pouring aspect makes it even more personal.”

For Thomas, candle pouring is a way not just to get creative, but also to spend time with loved ones and engage with new people.

“I just want people to come together,” she said. “I want them to have something unique and accessible to do for fun.”

For more information, visit villagecandlesco.com.

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