New owner for uptown candleworks business

While a new face will be taking over Beech Street Candleworks, the business will remain in Highland County, as Hillsboro business owner Brent Huffman has sold the popular home fragrance line to Sharon Bedard.

Beech Street Candleworks includes the Rustico and Studio candle collections, along with car fresheners and air fragrance mists. Huffman started the candle business in June 2010, followed by opening Beech Street on Main in May 2011.

Huffman said he mentioned to Bedard that he was putting the whole business except for his design company up for sale, and one week later, he found out that Bedard was interested in the candle company. Huffman said that she was a "perfect" choice, as Bedard's first business was a candle company.

Bedard, who currently serves as an enterprise facilitator for Grow! Highland County, said she will continue to work for the organization as she begins this new project. Bedard said that purchasing the Beech Street Candleworks line is a "perfect opportunity" for her.

"I get to live what I preach [as an enterprise facilitator]," Bedard said. "I'm very excited to have my own small business."

Bedard said that she has plans for Beech Street Candles to continue to grow and is scheduling appointments with prospective buyers. Huffman also took Bedard around southern Ohio to tour facilities that sell the line of candles, including Adams, Hamilton and Warren county businesses.

"It was neat for me to see their energy and how they feel about these candles," Bedard said.

Bedard said that the candles will still be made with Midwestern soy and premium scents and oils and hand-poured in Hillsboro, using the same process Huffman has followed.

"We pay a little more for our ingredients, but they are better quality," Bedard said. "The candles are going to be amazing."

Huffman said that he is humbled by the growth of the business, as the candles are now available in four other states (Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Kentucky) and over 30 retailers, including day spas, boutiques and gift shops. The candles are also available online at www.beechstreetcandleworks.com.

Huffman is also selling his uptown Hillsboro retail business, as he intends to earn a master's degree in interior design at his alma mater, the Harrington College of Design, located in downtown Chicago. He said he has been thinking about going back to school for a long time, and that the timing "just seemed right."

"When I moved here in the summer of 2009, it was just supposed to be for a summer," Huffman said. "I somehow started dabbling in candles, opened the store … one thing led to another.

"I'm glad I've been able to come back and do something good for the community and been involved in a lot of organizations."

Among those roles are serving as vice president of the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association and as a board member for the Highland County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Huffman said he has enjoyed "trying to help grow tourism" in the county.

"I hope the city leaders, the county and the local business organizations continue to work to help small businesses," Huffman said.

"To open up a retail store in the middle of a recession, in an area that's been hit hard economically … it's been profitable, and it's been a great experience."

Huffman said that as he turns the candle business over to Bedard, "business is usual" for the Beech Street on Main store until Huffman finds a new owner. Those interested in more information on purchasing the business may contact Kim Abbott at Classic Real Estate at (937) 403-2425.