Waxman Candles

Walking into Waxman Candles, I immediately pick up on the 1970s-by-way-of-the-’90s vibe in the West Lakeview shop. Incense fills the air, and candles in the shape of that famous ’70s smiley face greet me at the door. The vibe makes sense, though. The store opened its doors in October 1996 (there was a bit of a ’70s revival in the ’90s, thanks to those Brady Bunch movies and That ’70s Show), and the original (and still standing) location opened in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1970. But thanks to Björk playing over the sound system and the hipster look of manager/candlemaker Jonny Klipp, who’s giving me a tour of the place, I’m jolted back to present-day. Klipp, 27, has been working at the store for four years. So he’s had plenty of time to learn the classic Waxman designs, such as the groovy sphere candles featuring cut-out palm trees ($16–$25), but he’s also come up with his own designs, including the candles featuring the stars from the Chicago flag ($16). When he’s not manning the front of the store, you can find him in the back making new merch. Every candle (including columns, votives, cans and ones made with beeswax and soy) is made on-site; there’s a window located in the back right side of the store where shoppers can view the action. Waxman also offers free tours of the back, so you can get up close and personal with the candle-making process. Just call ahead before you visit. While the tours are available to shoppers of all ages, the ones for children end with participants dipping and taking home their own candles. Adults who want a more hands-on experience can book a candle-making class or party at the store. Visit Waxman Candles at 3044 N Lincoln Ave (773-929-3000).

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