Making perfect scents Vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli and amber join row of aromas inside new Verde Candle Bar By: Gabrielle Piché Posted: 8:39 PM CDT Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024

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This article was published 15/08/2024 (650 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The “scent library” is unofficially official — it just needs signage.

Vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli and amber join a row of scents inside 484 Academy Rd., the new Verde Candle Bar.

“Basically, we are the best smelling place in Winnipeg,” Dominika Dratwa said with a laugh.

She and business partner-daughter Zoe Dratwa took possession of the former Sobr Market space Aug. 1.

Nine days later — after much painting, wallpapering and candle placing — they opened for business, drawing people itching to make candles.

A grand opening is coming in September, once the final signs and shelving are in, the Dratwas explained.

Already, they have candle bar stories. There was a dad, not your typical candle-maker, leaving a session with a smiling face. Someone named their candle after the Paul Simon song Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard; another tried to re-create the scents they smelled at Disney World.

“(Customers’) creative sides really come out,” Dominika said.

The River Heights shop houses some greenery, but not for sale, unlike Verde’s past business model. For 14 years, the company sold plants at pop-ups, on Graham Avenue and in Osborne Village.

Dominika and Zoe were ready for a change; their love of candle-making led them to completely change their company, they relayed. And as Verde’s lease became due, the Dratwas sought a place with more parking, less real and perceived crime and more foot traffic.

“It feels good to have everything that we had thought about come to life,” Zoe said, standing near the candle bar.

Patrons choose from upwards of 40 scents in the company’s “library” and get educated on the candle-making process at a bar top. They measure fragrance oils, pour wax and create labels for their candles.

People can make room diffusers, bath salts, body oils. The Dratwas plan to offer room spray- and lip balm-making in the coming months.

“I feel like the age-old question, especially living in Winnipeg is: ‘What are we going to do today?’” Zoe said. “Winnipeg needs… more activities that are unique.”

She pointed to Verde as a new option. It’s open Thursdays through Sundays, the busiest days for birthday celebrations and bachelorettes, the Dratwas noted.

Candle-making takes roughly an hour. Verde will also host workshops, including popular ones from its plant-selling days, like winter wreath creation.

Neighbour businesses are anticipating the growth of Verde spreading through the area.

“If people come into there… they can see my place,” said Nadeetha Ganegoda, who works at Pro Alterations Studio.

Sobr Market, a non-alcoholic beverage retailer, exited 484 Academy Rd. and moved further down the street earlier this summer. It previously drew customers to Pro Alterations, Ganegoda said.

“(The) diversity will be fantastic on this street,” exclaimed Kim Rosner, who owns an eponymous eyewear shop across the road.

The mother-daughter duo has run Verde since Zoe’s 2016 high school graduation. Dominika, a trained artist, made terrariums as a hobby during an unrelated full-time job. Zoe suggested she sell them — and Verde was born.

Pop-ups at markets led to a full-time site on Graham Avenue. The shop moved to Osborne Village in 2020.

The Dratwas have made their own candles for years, adding them to Verde holiday gift boxes. One Christmas, they dove into the practice — “we’re kids in a candy shop,” Zoe said — and eventually decided upon changing their business model.

“We want to share this new passion with people,” Dominika said. “Everybody’s creative… and we bring that out of them.”

They sell their own candles in their storefront. Creating a candle costs $49 plus tax. Prices for other projects are found at verdecandlebar.com.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com