You know the excitement you feel when you walk down the candle aisle at TJ Maxx or the thrill of hunting through all the Bath and Body Works candles during their annual half-off sale. Now take those feelings and imagine what it would feel like to fill your home with tantalizing “scent”sations custom-made and handpicked by you. 

If lighting a candle for any and every occasion is a part of your selfcare routine, then adding a trip to experience Wick: A Candle Bar should be in your future. Instead of causally perusing row after row of premade candles, Wick eliminates the middleman and puts you in the driver seat of your candle-making/curating adventure. 

Located in San Marco, this family-owned business offers a “sensory-driven customer service experience.” From the moment you walk through the door you’re greeted by the first step of your hands-on experience. First, you grab a clipboard to tag along with you on your journey because you’ll need to write down all the unique scents you’ll fall in love with from their collection of over 90 options. Their selection of scents ranges from foods like “Maple Syrup” and Wasabi” to nature-based scents like “Pine Needle” and “Olive Blossom.” They also offer seasonal fragrances such as “Santa’s Pipe” and “Pumpkin Spice.” No matter your taste, there’s something for everybody.

Once you’ve selected your favorite scents, it’s time to choose your jar (or fragrance container) and get to mixing and pouring. Don’t be alarmed if you have a slew of favorites written down. A Scent Tender — look at them as a member of your fragrance focus group — can assist you in narrowing down your list to your top three choices and suggest the best complimentary combinations. 

Before you pour your natural soy wax candle, you’ll also need to dust off your drawing and branding skills so you can create a custom label and candle name. Then it’s time to pour it up with the assistance of your Scent Tender, who will guide you through the steps to ensure you create the highest quality item. Their mission, to help you craft a memorable and lasting experience.

The entire process takes about 40 minutes to complete, and the pricing is dependent on the size and style of the jar you choose, ranging from $20 – $36. Candles take 90 minutes to cool down before you can officially introduce them to your collection. In the meantime, you’re encouraged to explore historic San Marco – or return to pick them up at your earliest convenience. 

You don’t have to be restricted to just candles, either; you can also customize sprays, oils, reed diffusers, and body care products like scrubs, lotions and hand soaps.

Level up your gift giving game this holiday season by sharing a Wick experience with your loved ones and friends. Purchase a gift card or shop online. You can even make a reservation for groups of four or more. 

Founders, mom and son duo Kris and Hampton Barnes are “serious about scents” and one takeaway they want each customer to remember is “the wick experience will spark a memory whenever you get a whiff.”

Wick: A Candle Bar: 1641 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL; wickacandlebar.com // @wickacandlebar