Stories from the Scent Bar

Why the 7-Day Cure Matters: A Candle Care Primer

You just spent 90 minutes at Cork & Candles blending two fragrances you love, pouring warm wax into a clean vessel, and watching your Chandler affix the label. You leave with two candles you made yourself, and the first thing you want to do when you get home is light one. Don'…

5 Scent Combinations That Actually Work (And One That Doesn't)

Walking into Cork & Candles with 60 fragrances staring back at you can feel overwhelming. Your Chandler walks you through the Scent Library by family (earthy, floral, fruity, exotic), you sniff a few promising candidates, and then comes the real question: which two do you actu…

franchising

What It Takes to Open and Run a Modern Candle Bar

You've stood in a retail space imagining the layout. You've walked through a dozen Saturday evenings at restaurants, coffee shops, or wine bars watching people gather and wondering if you could create that feeling yourself. You've seen the shift toward experiences over things…

What to Bring to a BYOB Candle Making Session

You booked a BYOB candle making session. You're excited. Then, three hours before you're supposed to leave, you realize you have no idea what to actually bring. A bottle of wine, obviously, but what else? Do you need tools? An apron? A notepad to write down your scent choices?…

How to Pick Your Signature Scent at a Candle Bar

Walking into a scent bar for the first time, you're handed a menu of 60 fragrances and told to pick two. For your candle. That you're about to pour. In the next 90 minutes. If you've never done this before, that moment can feel less like creative freedom and more like a pop qu…

kop

Hosting a Holiday Office Party at Cork & Candles King of Prussia

The typical corporate holiday party playbook has gotten predictable. Rented banquet hall, catered buffet, forced small talk around high-top tables while someone's Spotify playlist hums in the background. Everyone shows up because it's December and attendance feels obligatory,…

franchising

Why Experience-Based Retail Is the Strongest Bet in 2026

Retail has been bleeding out for years. The culprit isn't just Amazon or economic shifts, it's that most stores give you nothing you can't get delivered to your couch in 48 hours. Walk into a mall today and half the storefronts are either vacant or staffed by employees who'd r…

franchising

Featured in Franchise Times: Why Cork & Candles Is Built for the Experience Economy

Getting featured in national trade media feels like an inflection point, the moment when the thing you've been building quietly starts to get recognized out loud. Last week Franchise Times published a story spotlighting Cork & Candles alongside three other brands ready to lean…

ardmore

The Best Way to Spend a Saturday in Ardmore, PA

Saturday mornings in Ardmore unfold slowly. Coffee first, maybe a walk through the neighborhood, then the question: what now? You could drive somewhere, but you're already here, and Ardmore has enough going on that leaving feels like wasted effort. The trick is stringing toget…

cc

A Bachelorette Itinerary in Center City: A Cork & Candles Day

Planning a bachelorette party in Center City Philadelphia means navigating a tight schedule, coordinating a group with wildly different energy levels, and finding something everyone will actually enjoy. You need an activity that works for the bridesmaid who wants to day-drink…

ardmore

5 Date Night Spots Within Walking Distance of Cork & Candles Ardmore

The usual dinner-and-a-movie cycle gets stale fast. You've already tried the same handful of Main Line restaurants, and while they're fine, they're not particularly memorable. What you actually want is an evening that feels put-together without requiring a 45-minute drive to C…

Why Candle Making Beats Painting and Pottery for a Date Night

The problem with most creative date nights is that they sound better on paper than they are in practice. Paint-and-sip classes seat you side-by-side at easels, staring at your own canvas instead of the person you came with. Pottery wheels demand focused silence and tolerating…

cc

Spring in Philadelphia: 5 Date Night Ideas That Aren't Dinner

Spring in Philadelphia means something specific: that first Saturday when you can walk Rittenhouse without a coat, when the Schuylkill Trail fills up by 10 a.m., when every restaurant patio suddenly has a two-hour wait. You want to do something with your person that acknowledg…

A First-Timer's Guide to a Cork & Candles Session

You've never made a candle before. Maybe the idea sounds vaguely intimidating, like you'll need to know the difference between paraffin and beeswax or memorize the flash point of fragrance oils. Maybe you're worried you'll pick the wrong scents and end up with something that s…

king-of-prussia

Where to Host Large Group Outings in King of Prussia, PA

King of Prussia is one of the most convenient meeting points in the Philadelphia suburbs easy off the highway, surrounded by dining, and a natural gathering spot for teams spread across Montgomery and Chester counties. But when your manager asks you to plan the next team outing,

king-of-prussia

The Best Date Night Near King of Prussia, PA: Try Candle Making at Cork & Candles

King of Prussia has a lot going for it as a destination for a night out great restaurants, major shopping, and easy highway access from all over the western suburbs. But most date nights in KOP end up following the same script: dinner at one of the mall-area restaurants, maybe a

center-city

Where to Go on a Date Night in Center City Philadelphia: Cork & Candles Is Worth It

Center City gives you an overwhelming number of options for a night out which somehow makes it harder to decide what to actually do. Dinner is easy. Something genuinely memorable is harder to find, especially if you've already cycled through the usual spots. Cork & Candles in

ardmore

The Best Date Night in Ardmore, PA Starts at Cork & Candles

Planning a date night on the Main Line sounds easy until you're staring at the same rotation of restaurants you've already been to three times this year. Ardmore has solid dining options, but if you want an evening that actually feels special something you'll both remember you ne

center-city

Where to Host a Bridal Shower in Center City Philadelphia

Center City gives you a lot of options for a bridal shower and that's exactly the problem. There are dozens of restaurants with private rooms, wine bars, and activity venues competing for your attention, and most of them feel interchangeable by the time you've

ardmore

Where to Host a Bridal Shower in Ardmore, PA

Planning a bridal shower on the Main Line means you want something that feels intentional not just a mimosa and flowers afternoon that anyone could pull off. Ardmore sits right in the middle of one of the most walkable, charming stretches of suburban Philadelphia, and the options

Large Group Event Venues in Ardmore, PA

Planning a large group event on the Main Line carries a specific set of expectations. Guests are used to a certain level of taste think Suburban Square rather than a generic banquet hall and hosts feel the pressure to match it. Whether you're organizing a bridal shower for 25, a

king-of-prussia

Large Group Event Venues in King of Prussia, PA

Planning a large group event in King of Prussia usually means juggling a checklist nobody wants: a venue that fits 20+ people without feeling like a conference room, something for everyone to actually do beyond small talk over appetizers, parking that doesn't require a shuttle, a

king of prussia

What to Expect at a Candle-Making Session in King of Prussia

Everything you need to know before your first visit to Cork & Candles King of Prussia — from parking to fragrance blending to taking your candle home.

king-of-prussia

Best Girls Night Out Ideas in King of Prussia, PA

Finding a girls night out in King of Prussia that goes beyond dinner and the mall isn't as easy as it should be. You've got plenty of restaurants along Route 202 and the entire King of Prussia Town Center to work with, but when it comes to something your group will actually remem

center-city

Best Girls Night Out Ideas in Center City Philadelphia

Planning a girls night in Center City can feel like a paradox there are a hundred options and somehow none of them feel right. You've done the cocktail bars on Rittenhouse. You've done the overpriced prix fixe. You want something your group will actually talk about afterward, not

ardmore

Best Girls Night Out Ideas in Ardmore, PA

If you live on the Main Line and you've been stuck in the same rotation of dinner-and-drinks for every girls night, you're not alone. Finding something that actually feels special not just another round of apps at the same spot near Suburban Square takes a little creativity. That

center-city

Best Date Night Ideas in Center City Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia is one of the best dining cities on the East Coast, and Center City puts most of it within walking distance. The problem with date nights in a city like this isn’t finding somewhere to go it’s finding something that actually feels different from the last time. Cork &

candle-making

The Easiest Gift That Still Feels Thoughtful

We’ve all been there. You want to give a thoughtful gift, but time gets away from you. You don’t want to just grab something generic, but you also don’t have time to overthink it. That’s where gift cards usually come in. The problem is, most gift cards feel like a fallback. This

ardmore

A Mother’s Day Idea I Didn’t Expect to Love

A few years ago, my sister suggested we try a different Mother’s Day Idea. Instead of the usual brunch or dinner, she booked a candle-making experience for the three of us. My mom, my sister, and me. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t exactly sold on the idea at first. Candle making d

king-of-prussia

Fun Things to Do with Friends in King of Prussia, PA (Beyond the Mall)

King of Prussia has a reputation built around one thing: the mall. And yes, it’s massive, it’s convenient, and it genuinely has everything but “let’s go to KOP” as a friend night plan only goes so far. At some point, walking past the same stores stops feeling like quality time..

king-of-prussia

Best Date Night Ideas in King of Prussia, PA (That Go Beyond Dinner)

King of Prussia is a strong base for a date night, with great restaurants, easy highways, no parking battles. But if every outing ends the same way (dinner, drive home, done), the area can start to feel like it has less to offer than it actually does. The mall is not a date night

ardmore

Best Mother’s Day Ideas Near Philadelphia (2026)

Mother’s Day is one of those occasions that deserves more than a last-minute reservation. And while brunch is always a safe option, more people are looking for something a little more thoughtful—something that feels like time well spent together. If you’re in the Philadelphia are

center-city

Girls Night Out in Center City Philadelphia

Looking for a unique girls night out in Center City Philadelphia? Skip the crowded bars and predictable dinner reservations — and do something your group will actually remember. At Cork & Candles in Center City, you and your friends can pour custom candles, sip your favorite

king-of-prussia

Best Birthday Party Ideas in King of Prussia, PA

Looking for birthday party ideas in King of Prussia, PA? Discover unique group celebrations, including candle making at Cork & Candles near the KOP Mall.

center-city

Best Team Building & Private Party Venue in Center City Philadelphia

Looking for team building, bridal shower, or baby shower venues in Center City Philadelphia? Discover a unique candle-making experience perfect for groups.

center-city

Best Friend Night Out Ideas in Center City Philadelphia | Cork & Candles

Center City has more bars, restaurants, and things to do per block than almost anywhere in Pennsylvania, which, paradoxically, makes it harder to plan a friend night that actually feels special. When every option is available, you tend to end up at the same place you went last ti

ardmore

Best Date Night Ideas in Ardmore, PA

Share an Experience at Cork & Candles for a Different Kind of Date Night Planning a great date night in Ardmore, PA doesn’t have to mean defaulting to dinner and drinks. The Main Line has quietly become one of the best areas outside of Philadelphia for a well-rounded ni

center-city

10 Things to Do in Center City Philadelphia This Holiday Season

Center City Philadelphia comes alive during the holiday season with twinkling lights, festive markets, and plenty of wintertime fun for both locals and visitors. Whether you’re searching for unique gifts, indulging in seasonal treats, or enjoying the city’s holiday décor, there’s

king-of-prussia

10 Things to Do in King of Prussia, PA This Holiday Season

King of Prussia might be best known for its giant mall, but during the holidays the area transforms into a festive hub full of lights, cozy experiences, and seasonal charm. Whether you’re shopping, exploring, or just soaking in the winter magic, here are 10 things

ardmore

New at Cork & Candles Ardmore: Add Karaoke to Your Group Experience

If you're searching for a fun and memorable way to host a large party, corporate outing, team-building event, birthday celebration, or bridal shower near Philadelphia, Cork & Candles Ardmore just launched a brand-new upgrade: karaoke as an add-on to your private signature can

ardmore

Montgomery County Business Owner Chris Holloway Needs Second Kidney Transplant

After three decades in the mortgage business, Chris Holloway, now a Cork & Candles franchise owner in Ardmore, is facing his toughest challenge yet, the need for a second kidney transplant. Holloway was first diagnosed with a rare disease, FSGS, and underwent a life-saving tr

center-city

Candles & Cocktails: The Perfect Philly Fall Afternoon

Looking for fun things to do in Philadelphia this fall? Mark your calendar for one of the most unique Philly fall events happening this season. On Saturday, September 27, 2025, The Wayward (1170 Ludlow St.) is hosting Candles & Cocktails, a cozy collaboration with Cork &

ardmore

7 Things to Do in Ardmore This Fall

Ardmore knows how to do fall right. The air is crisp, the leaves are showing off, and the town’s cozy spots are buzzing with seasonal charm. Whether you’re here for a full day of adventure or just a few hours, this Main Line gem packs plenty of ways to soak in autumn. Here’s your

ardmore

Your Guide to Ardmore: Easy SEPTA Train and Bus Access

When it comes to Main Line destinations, Ardmore makes it almost too easy to plan the perfect day. No wrestling with traffic. No endless search for parking. Just hop on SEPTA or Amtrak, and in no time, you’re stepping into one of the most walkable, charming spots outside of Phill

king-of-prussia

You Need to Experience This Elvis Candle-Making Night in King of Prussia (Yes, With a Live Concert)

If you’re looking for something wildly fun and totally different to do near Philly this September, consider this your sign to mark your calendar for Saturday, September 20th. Cork & Candles King of Prussia, located in the King of Prussia Town Center, is going full-on rock-and

candle-and-wine-franchise

Cork & Candles featured in Beyond Fast Food: Uncovering Unique Franchise Opportunities | Built By Me Podcast Ep. 2

Think franchising is just for burger joints and sandwich shops? Think again. In the latest episode of the Built By Me Podcast (Ep. 2), hosts Taina and Mo sit down with franchise expert and CEO of Milestone Franchising , Lisa Linkowsky, and let’s just say, this conversation goes p

ardmore

Chris Holloway, Ardmore Franchisee, Needs a Kidney. Here’s How You Can Help!

https://youtu.be/kJtlCQrSR4M If you’ve ever visited Cork & Candles in Ardmore, PA, chances are you’ve met the co-owner, Chris Holloway. Maybe he helped you pick out a scent that reminded you of home. Maybe he welcomed you with a smile and made you feel seen. That’s just who C

center-city

Pour a Candle, Help a Pup—Join Cork & Candles for PSPCA’s Give Back Day!

If you’re a sucker for a cute dog and love a good candle (honestly, who doesn’t?), mark your calendar because Cork & Candles and the PSPCA are teaming up for a cause that’ll warm your heart—and your home. Cork and Candles Give Back Day with PSPCA. On Sunday, March 2nd , 2025

ardmore

Discover Cork & Candles Ardmore with ToiTime!

Philadelphia lifestyle blogger and podcaster LaToi (Toi) Storr, owner and writer of ToiTime, recently visited Cork & Candles’ first franchise location in Ardmore, and her experience was nothing short of magical!

The Therapeutic Benefits of Candle Making

We’re all running at full speed towards the end of the year and lately it seems like it’s inevitable. Whether it’s balancing projects at work, relationships, or just trying to stay on top of life, it's so easy to constantly feel like you just don’t have the time. Finding a creati

A Cozy Guide to Decorate Your Home in the Fall

As the crisp air rolls in and the leaves begin to change, it’s time to turn your home into a cozy haven that reflects the warmth and beauty of fall. Whether you’re sipping on a pumpkin spice latte in your favorite corner of your home or cuddling under a blanket with an attention-

Cork & Candles Featured in Apartment Guide

Cork & Candles was featured in this piece from Apartment Guide on August 30th. Check out the specific excerpt below. Cork & Candles: DIY fragrance fun Kenny Straub of Cork & Candles suggests the fun of creating your own custom fragrance through candle maki

center-city

Exploring Philadelphia: A Local's Guide to Unforgettable Experiences

Whether you're a visitor eager to explore the City of Brotherly Love or a local seeking a new adventure, Philadelphia offers a plethora of captivating activities to indulge in. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, there's something for everyone to discover in this vibrant city.

Top 5 Reasons Why I Joined an Emerging Brand

Hello Friends and Chandlers! My name is Melissa Ojeda, and I've had the pleasure of just hitting my one year mark at Cork & Candles this past weekend. Cheers to that! If you had a candle making experience at the Cork & Candles Philadelphia scent bar, it is very likely you

Candle Care Essentials

Are you a candle lover who wants to get the most our of your candles? The three priorities for “Candle Care” are: Safety : Open flames in the home carry inherent risks. Ensuring a safe environment is maintained when burning candles is important. Clean Burn : Black soot is a major