Good times and chill vibes at Maggie's Farm & Aromatics

CHILLICOTHE ― One of Chillicothe's fastest-growing businesses makes thousands of online sales throughout the year and thousands more during the holidays. However, the calm and cozy ambiance of the candle shop manages to mask the fast-paced business.

Jessie Richmond opened Maggie's Farm & Aromatics (lovingly named after a Bob Dylan song) in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the smell of candles in the air, a light and airy design and even a gentle shop cat named Mags, the business embodies the perfect candle shop.

Under the surface of the shop reveals a strong team of employees who work hard to meet the shop's high demand. With a variety of unique orders ranging from hair care and cleaning solutions to unique products like fizzy bath sand, yoga mat cleaner and a bug bite relief roller, employees are trained to make several products throughout the day.

"While the wax is melting I'm gonna make shower steamers. While the shower steamers dry, I'm going to start to pour the candles but the candles are in three different layers. So while the first layer is drying I'm gonna go make bath bombs. The bath bombs from yesterday are ready to label," Richmond said. "It's just constantly grabbing something and going."

A book filled with handwritten notes is the ultimate guide for new employees and includes recipes and tips for how to make each product, as long as they can read through the stained page of the well-loved book.

Although the brick-and-mortar shop on 2nd Street is a Chillicothe staple, Maggie's also has a huge online presence through Etsy, raking in thousands of orders per year. Of the shop's 8,000 reviews on Etsy, almost 6,000 are about the shower steamers.

Richmond said Maggie's has shipped to all 50 states and recently made its first international shipment to Canada.

Planning, planning, planning

Above all, the shop depends on organization and planning to keep up with demand. Like many local businesses, the shop has to start preparing for the next season months in advance.

Richmond said they start crafting fall-themed products in July to keep up with demand. Although they are just starting to make fall scents, some customers are already requesting Christmas products.

The Christmas season can be both a blessing and a curse to the shop: the business typically gets 10 to 15 Etsy orders per day. During Christmas, the shop's busiest season, they receive 200 to 300 orders per day.

"It's really crazy. Last year, we were all working around the clock in November and December. It didn't stop," Richmond said. "I bet there was someone here 20 hours a day because we have to make everything by hand that's ordered."

Amidst the seasonal fervor, the creative minds behind the scenes are always thinking of new product ideas. Richmond said a big part of managing the shop is coming up with innovative ideas (she's still perfecting a natural bubble bath recipe). The shop offers a monthly candle and keeps up with current events to spice things up.

Employee Kylie Paul said the young women working at the shop help to keep the products relevant. For example, the shop held a Barbie-themed party to celebrate the Barbie movie premiere and sold candles in farm animal containers in honor of the Ross County Fair.

Spreading candle love in Chillicothe

Although shower steamers are the big seller online, candles rein supreme in-store. Maggie's is known for its homemade candles that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and scents. The shop also offers realistic candles shaped like ice cream, margaritas or cereal that look and smell like the real thing.

One popular candle is a tall, skinny candle with red and white stripes that resembles the Chillicothe paper mill. Richmond said that many customers jokingly ask if the candle smells unpleasant like the paper mill.

In addition to ready-made candles, Richmond also offers a variety of ways for customers to make custom candles for a unique experience. She hosts workshops at local businesses to teach people to make candles and invites customers to call ahead and make candles anytime at the shop.

Once per month, the shop hosts hot wax on tap where they have wax available all day for customers to walk in and make a candle.

Customers can pick a container and a scent (or several, if they're feeling creative), place the wicks and pour the wax to make their own custom candle.

For a more hands-off experience, customers can also bring in any container, including a used candle, to be filled with wax for 85 cents per ounce. Richmond said she remembers growing up with candles that were, "too nice to burn." She said offering refills allows customers to actually enjoy their candles without fear, and it also cuts down on waste.

The aroma of Maggie's achievements wafts through the air of Chillicothe, illuminating the success that comes from the tireless dedication and resolute spirit of a small business owner.

Maggie's Farm & Aromatics is located at 17 W. 2nd St. in Chillicothe.

Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting.

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Maggie's Farm & Aromatics expanding fast in Chillicothe