our candle story: from stovetop to studio

Before Antique Candle Co.® (previously Antique Candle Works)  was born, founder and owner Brittany Whitenack grew up in an Indiana country home that held a long passion for vintage and antique style. 😍 This, combined with a love of candles, inspired Brittany to make some of her own.  After a few gifted candles were well received by family and friends, the possibility of starting a new artisan business began to look like a reality.  Brittany quit her job, and in January of 2014, created a plan for her business. 💪

The original company name, “Antique Candle Works,” was derived from the model that is still followed today: vintage inspired, artisan, quality candles, hand poured with love. 🥰 With vessels like unique, antique coffee tins, and ingredients like a longer burning soy wax made from American-grown soy beans, all aspects of the candles were crafted to provide the best candle experience (and STILL are to this day!). ✨

(Read more about the meaning behind the change to "Antique Candle Co.®")

Brittany knew the importance of this even when the candles were made only four pounds at a time on her stovetop. 🤩 By the end of 2014, stores carrying Antique Candle Works candles expanded from a few local shops, to several other STATES. This moved production from the kitchen to the basement, and called for an upgrade to a homemade, EIGHT-POUND melting pot. 🙌

In the fall of 2015, Antique Candle Works moved to a commercial space in Chesterton, Indiana.  This was the perfect location to support 20-30 wholesale partners because it was an industrial, old factory space that beautifully expressed the vintage theme of the business. (Looking back, this is similar to our NEW, permanent space! ❤)

Antique Candle Works experienced the SO much growth in 2016 that Brittany moved production to a new commercial studio in Lafayette, Indiana. 🎉🎉 (Back to her hometown where she and her husband, Dan, had met in college at Purdue University years prior!)

In Lafayette, Brittany and a small team of candle makers that include her brother, Ed, and a local Purdue student, Jaycie, hand poured and packaged thousands of antique and Mason jar candles to 70 wholesale partners and hundreds of retail customers in The United States and Canada. 🥰🥰

Those were the early days, and now, SO MUCH has changed!

Creating Antique Candle Co.® from the bottom up has taught Brittany that the ability of an artisan or handmade business to do well should not be underestimated.  She started with only a passion and a plan, and is now the owner of a successful business!

Check out The Story Behind the Story for a heart-to-heart with Brittany and her journey with Antique Candle Co.®.

Handmade products are a proud vocation and carry a certain charm that mass produced goods simply cannot achieve.  The small business world has provided Brittany and her growing team with incredible customers, several of whom have become friends, the ability to be in charge of a fun working environment, and connections with many people that would have not been otherwise available. 

Although there are many features of the handmade business that Brittany loves, one of her favorite aspects is smelling inviting aromas every single day, and this is exactly what Antique Candle Co.® wants to give to you.

Check out more behind the scenes fun on the blog and Instagram!

Contact us!  We'd love to hear about your experience with Antique Candle Co.®!

(2015 Photography by Lindsey Galloway)