A LOOK INTO THE NEW GLOW CANDLE CO.
GLOW CANDLE CO. WILL LIGHT UP ITS BIG BEND LOCATION WITH NEW RETAIL SPACE
Growing up Natalie Van Hee never dreamed of opening a business that produces and sells candles, but that’s exactly where fate led her. Van Hee is the owner of Glow Candle Co. in Webster Groves, where she and her staff hand-pour, pack and ship their unique product.
In October, Glow Candle Co. will open retail space in their building, allowing customers to come inside, browse, smell, and even watch candles being poured.
“I’ve always loved candles. When I was a kid, my mom would yell at me about lighting so many in my room.”
But it never occurred to Van Hee to make a career of candles.
As an adult Van Hee held several jobs but never found a career that she was passionate about.
After being laid off from one of those jobs, her husband, Michael, encouraged her to wait until she found a career she absolutely loved.
“At that time, prior to having kids, we were traveling a lot,” Van Hee said. “Everywhere we went I would buy a candle to remind me of the sights, sounds and smells.”
That led Van Hee to experiment with making her own candles. She is entirely self-taught.
“I just messed around until I got it right,” she said.
First Van Hee gave the candles as presents, but quickly friends and family began to ask to buy more. The business grew from there, first selling at Tower Groves Farmers Market and retailers such as Straub’s Markets and Ginger Bay Salon and Spa.
Glow candles are made with all-natural, eco-friendly soy wax derived from soybeans grown in the United States. Cotton wicks and premium-grade fragrance oils are incorporated into the candles, and no dyes are used.
There are classic scents – offered year-round – such as Lemon and Lavender, Mediterranean Fig, and White Tea. As well as seasonal candles like Pumpkin Spice, The St. Nic, and Aspen Embers.
“At first we did everything from our house,” Van Hee said. “But as the business grew, we were running out of space. It was taking over everything and we started to realize we had to get it out of our house.”
In 2018, Glow Candle Co. moved into its current location at 7947 Big Bend, where all candles are hand-poured, packed in boxes, and shipped. Van Hee now has three employees and collaborates closely with a freelance artist who designs all the labels and packaging.
In 2020, shortly before the pandemic hit and temporarily shut down most St. Louis businesses, Glow Candle Co. set up its own website allowing customers to order online.
“Without us even knowing it, our timing couldn’t have been more perfect,” Van Hee said. “Suddenly everyone was at home and wanted things that would make them feel more relaxed and peaceful.”
Glow Candle Co. hit new sales highs.
As the world returns to normal, Van Hee continues to explore ways in which to grow Glow Candle Co. Opening the retail space is the next step.
“This building has always been so charming and cute,” Van Hee said. “It looks like a candle shop you would like to go into.”
A rendering of the new Glow Candle Co. space.
Currently, the space is under renovation, with a wall coming down and shelves going up. A tentative grand opening is planned for Oct. 14. Van Hee said the shop will be open Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sundays during the holiday season.
Glow Candle Co. is also expanding into custom and corporate gifting. With a minimum order of 50 candles, a custom label can be placed on candles. The customer can submit the label or can be created by the freelance artist Glow works with.
As the company grows, Van Hee said producing high-quality candles will remain at the center.
Natalie Van Hee
“Part of my business plan is to do one thing and do it really well.”
All photography courtesy of Glow Candle Co.