Custom candle bar opens at The Summit

If you’re in the market for a candle, there’s a new spot at The Summit where you can create one of your very own.

Paddywax Candle Bar opened in December and had its official grand opening Feb. 8.

The brand has 11 stores in the U.S., but this is the first location in Alabama. The Candle Bar concept is just over 2 years old, and the first location opened in Nashville in December 2017.

Emilie Harvey, the company’s events and public relations manager, said the decision was made to open in Birmingham because it features a similar culture to Nashville.

Paddywax, the sister company to The Candle Bar, has been around for more than 20 years and wanted to bring the candle-making experience to a smaller scale. The store is a place where people can gather and share experiences while spending quality time together making their own custom creations.

“A large part of our theory is to not just use a candle vessel once,” Harvey said. “Ours are made to not only hold candles but be a home decor piece. They are intentionally made to be repurposed.”

During the hour-long workshop, guests first choose from a variety of vessels, pick a theme, then choose their scent from their four fragrance families: spice, woody, sweet or fresh. Each category has multiple options, with about 40 fragrances total.

Next, guests move to the workshop tables to place the wicks and measure out their fragrance.

“It’s all about building community,” Harvey said. “We love celebrating with people for bachelorette parties, birthday parties and more. We offer a unique experience other than just going out to eat.”

The candles take three hours to cure, so they can either be shipped for $8, or customers can come back and pick them up at a later time.

Another option that The Candle Bar offers is making small batches. Guests can buy 10-500 candles to suit their event’s needs. Some examples include wedding favors, bridesmaid gifts, corporate gifts and more.

Collaboration workshops are another unique concept the company offers.

“We work with outside vendors or artisans such as local calligraphers, water color, fl oral arrangers who come in twice a month,” Harvey said. “It’s a fun way to change up our offerings and give people more reasons to come back.”

In addition to candles, the store features retail components in every location that include diffusers, body soap oils and perfumes, stationery, cards, journals, planners, pens and more.

Guests can also enjoy beverages during their experience. Beer and wine will soon be available for purchase in store, or customers can bring in their own outside drinks for an $8 corking fee.

Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations can be made online to ensure a spot. The space seats 24, and Harvey said they tend to sell out nights and weekends.

The candle workshops are $40 and include the vessel, fragrance and workshop time.

“The Summit team has been so welcoming and hospitable and willing to help us out,” Harvey said. “We are so excited to have this store.”

For more information or to schedule a workshop time, visit thecandlebar.co.