Cork & Candles Brings Experiential Retail To Warrington

WARRINGTON, PA — A new experiential retail store, Cork and Candles, has opened its doors at the Shops at Valley Square in Warrington.

The new BYOB candle-making scent bar, a first for the Philadelphia-based store in Bucks County, will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting, mimosas, raffles, and light food. After that, they will be open for reservations until their last seating at 8:30 p.m.

The Bucks County franchise is owned by Newtown resident Linda Welles, a former baking and cooking instructor who became frustrated with the job market and decided to pursue her longtime dream of owning her own business.

“Two years ago, my husband and I decided to go to a franchise show in Philadelphia. That’s where I found out about Cork and Candles,” said Welles. “Candles were not necessarily on my radar, but I am a creative person, and I love going out with my friends and doing fun activities with them. Cork and Candles just seemed to be the perfect fit for me.”

Unlike a traditional retail store where you walk in, buy a product, and leave, at Cork and Candles, customers reserve a time to make their own handcrafted custom candles to take home.

During a 90-minute session, customers are walked through the experience of making two candles each, first picking their own fragrances from an extensive library of 60 different scents and then selecting crystals and other wax pieces to decorate their personalized candles.

Cork & Candles at the Shops at Valley Square in Warrington. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Inside the new store. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Cork & Candles Bucks County franchise owner Linda Welles holds up one of the store's novelty candles, which can be made at the store. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Customers can also choose to make one of the store’s novelty candles, including a Fruit Loops bowl or an ice cream sundae or drink. In addition, the store introduces a new candle theme each month, like "Spooky Halloween Graveyard" in October. Next month the shop will feature a Thanksgiving pie theme with scents like pumpkin, fruit, or pecan pie.

During the experience, customers are invited to bring their own beverages to enjoy while socializing and going through the candle-making process.

“It’s kind of like a science experiment in the way each customer customizes their candle with their own combination of scents,” said Welles. “And it all happens in a comfortable and warm atmosphere where people can create something together while enjoying a glass of wine or a beverage of their choice and just have some fun away from technology. It’s about sharing moments and creating memories.”

During a recent session at the store, a couple came in to share the experience. In their case, it was his surprise birthday gift for his girlfriend.

“I asked them what kind of music they liked, and I put on a little Frank Sinatra for them,” said Welles. “They just had the best time together making a candle for each other. They chose scents they thought the other person would like. It was really cute.”

When the candles are done, the guests are invited to take a photo together on a bench inside the store and beneath the words “Where Friends Gather,” one of the store’s themes.

“It’s a nice experience to have whether it’s a date night, a birthday, a baby or bridal shower. We also do corporate team-building events,” said Welles.

The candle-making bar can accommodate both smaller and larger gatherings. Participants choose between the signature two-candle experience or the novelty classes, which change monthly.

To reserve a space or for more information, click here. The public is also encouraged to stop by during Saturday’s grand opening or during regular business hours to learn more.

“Come check us out and experience the fun. They won’t be disappointed, and they’ll have a great time,” said Welles.