As I mentioned in a previous post, the Rockport store recently closed. However, as I was walking by the other day I saw workmen in the old store and a new sign go up for Pure Light, a create your own candle studio. I think this sort of thing is really fun, so I checked out their website to learn a little bit more about the store/studio and contacted the owner Judy Kelly for a bit more information. 

I recommend you read the story of how Pure Light came to be, it’s very touching and inspirational. The Kelly family truly developed a positive uplifting space and message when they created and opened Pure Light in Laguna Beach. They are hoping to bring that positive energy to the Irvine Spectrum (I think it’s great to have a local boutique store amongst all of the chains … IMHO, of course).

When do you plan on opening? 

If all goes to plan, we hope to open our doors in the Spectrum on Sunday, June 21… Summer Solstice and Father’s Day (in honor of my son and his being a father to Tyeson Lhyric). We will hold a Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, July 9th.

Are you still going to have your Laguna Beach store?

Yes.

How will the Spectrum store be different or the same?

The Spectrum store will be primarily focused on candle making and gift shopping. We do have a “Celebration Room” where people can have candle making parties for birthdays, team celebrations, girls night out etc., along with a whole host of events that will soon show up on a separate calendar for the Irvine store on our website. The Laguna store is where we hold blessing ceremonies and can cater in food for a full service type of event in addition to the candle making and retail. The look and feel of both stores will be similar with a few different aspects to each store.  But we are all about Bali and nature and feel good.  

Why an additional location? 

Laguna Beach is magic, especially being in the Laguna Canyon, but the walk by traffic is non-existent. Most of our business is during the Sawdust Festival and events on weekends. We have had such an amazing response to the store with repeated requests that we open in cities all across the county so we thought we would give a modified model of the store a try in a high traffic area and see where it goes. It seems many people love candles, and the idea of making one themselves. It’s fun, positive, smells great, and people love to make them for themselves or to give as gifts.   

Why now?

Just being lead this way as I have been in this entire process of creating Pure Light. What we offer does not cost a lot of money, and it’s a very uplifting and positive experience for people to share with friends or family. There are a lot of reasons why, and in this economy, could be a lot of reasons to say not to. However, I trust the process and hope to provide something fun and uplifting that is a positive experience, and makes people feel good because it is something completely unusual that can be made with great meaning behind them, created by them. It helps with the void of lack of art in the schools, it’s not difficult to do, it appeals to so many of the senses, and no two candles made are ever the same. Why not now! We all need some good, positive experiences in our lives… especially now. We are about moving positive energy, so we hope to move some in a good direction.  

Are all of the same services going to be offered, that are available in LB, and at the same price? 

As I mentioned above, the candle making will be in both locations, along with our Candle Bouquet line and our retail gift shopping. Ceremonies and catering are only in Laguna. 

Is there anything you’d like to specifically make mention of or point people to on your website? 

If your readers are into something fun and unusual to do that will bring them accolades for finding something awesome, they should check us out, and the story behind us.

Can you accommodate children or is the candle making primarily geared to adults? 

We accommodate ages 5 on up! There is something for just about everyone.  

“We miss our son, Tyeson, so very much, but his creative spirit shines on at Pure Light and we are very blessed to feel his presence come through in the creative going on at the shops.  Check out our latest creations at www.CandleBouquet.com.  These are candles that can be sent as bouquets as an alternative to the traditional flower, cookie or fruit bouquets.  Each one has a message in a bottle.” ~ Judy Kelly

I am very much looking forward to checking this store out when it opens. Have any of you been to the Laguna Beach store? If so, what are you thoughts, impressions, etc.?