In mid-March Laurel Rose Candle Co. opened a storefront location at 415 Bradley Street in Carrollton. Suddenly the pandemic hit with full vengeance, and the three generations of Laurel Rose Co. closed the shop for walk-in customers.
Owner and dreamer, Brandi Rosamond tells us, “Candle making has been a hobby of mine for 25 years. I learned the art of it from my mother, Kathy Horton. I would pick it up when I had time between raising my family and rescue dogs. The candles we made were mainly for personal use and gifts during the holidays. After my girls were in college, and my husband Mark was traveling for work most weeks, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands.”
In 2018, Brandi was inspired after a trip to Nashville to pursue her dream of making candles for the community to enjoy. After months of research, Brandi and Karlee set up their first popup shop and created a website to pick up wholesale accounts. Laurel Rose Co. was born.
After Christmas of 2019, the business had completely outgrown the small space in their home where the candles were made. In January 2020 a lease was signed for the space on Bradley Street which was originally planned to be a space to grow the wholesale accounts and online store. Brandi chuckles, “We soon realized we would be able to create much more here. People wanted to come pour candles with us, so the candles have really taken on a life of their own here.”
During the statewide stay at home order, Laurel Rose Co. was able to adapt. Brandi says, “Karlee and I came to the studio most days, locked ourselves in, and created. We have been so blessed by the community for shopping local and supporting all of the west Georgia area’s small businesses which have shown much love.”
To show their appreciation and give back to the community, Laurel Rose Co. has created donation candles. Brandi explains, “Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from our donation candles go directly to local nonprofit organizations. In April we released our Pinwheel candle for the Carroll County Child Advocacy Center and our Light It Up Blue candle for the West Georgia Autism Foundation. In May, we released our Shine Green candle for the Carroll County Mental Health Advocates. We have taken up such a passion in creating the donation candles, and being able to give back to the community that has supported us during this uncertain time has created an overwhelming joy for us.” As Laurel Rose Co. looks to the future, they intend to host more candle bars and workshops with McLeod Family Farm and bring the community high-quality and safe products. The shop is open Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
