GRAND HAVEN, MI (WOOD) - Dutch pine trees for sale are expanding in Grand Haven.
Beacon Candle Garsnett celebrates its grand opening at 129 Washington Ave. It's time to celebrate Grand Haven Light Night on Friday downtown from 5 to 8 p.m.
“We expect to see a lot of foot traffic outside,” said Sebastian Garsnett, co-founder of Garsnett Beacon Candle Co. For future bookings. …We're really excited and ready to open here.”
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The store is offering giveaways all weekend long.
With the help of candles, customers can choose from nearly a hundred scents. Co-founder Chad Garsnett says people usually choose two or three scents for their blend and then choose from several different containers to put the candle in.
The procedure usually takes 30-45 minutes.
After the candle is finished, you should leave it for approximately one and a half to two hours. Garsnetts encourages people to take the time to check out other local businesses.
"It's a good time to shop, visit some of the other stores in Grand Haven. It's a good time to grab dinner or a drink and you can come back and get it," Chad Garsnett said.
The store changes scents regularly and adds containers so customers can create a different candle each time.
Reservations are available 24 hours a day and spontaneous guests are welcome if space is available.
The couple said people love the experience.
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“They're really excited about the flavor options,” Chad Garsnett said. “Fragrances are so closely linked to memory that sometimes one remembers that it was an enjoyable time in their life. So they directed to make it the center of their candles. Or if you are coming with friends and family, this is the perfect time to create a new memory with a scent that makes you special.”
The store also offers many pre-made candle collections, including seasonal collections as well as candles by city and state. There's also an LGBTQ group called Out Loud Candles, which donates $1 from every candle sold to The Trevor Project or a local organization.
“We give back to the community, so we always have a fundraiser. Almost every month we have another big fundraiser. Last year, we were able to support more than 35 organizations through donations and sponsorships,” said Sebastien Garsent.
The company also works with West Michigan businesses to create personalized candle kits, including Garsnett Beacon Candle Co. In Grand Haven. The store offers merchandise from other local companies.
Sebastian and Chad Garsnett met while living in Indianapolis. They moved to Michigan about two and a half years ago and have been working from home. Sebastian worked in podcast management and Chad in real estate.
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“I loved my job. He hated his job,” said Sebastien Garcint. “He's a creative person, so he wanted to do something creative. Plus, I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so getting creative and starting our own business was definitely a goal for us.”
Chad Garsent said he has always loved candles and creating his own fragrance collections. They spent about 18 months testing and working on the flavor combinations, then opened an online store.
They received good reviews and soon began selling their candles in West Michigan markets.
“We had a few fans,” Sebastien Garsent explained. “So when a facility opened in the Netherlands and we thought it was a good size and suitable for us, we made the decision.”
When they began looking for opportunities to expand, they set their sights on Grand Haven: they liked the city atmosphere and enjoyed spending time there.
When the storefront opened on Washington Avenue — a busy area — they jumped on it. The store has been completely renovated and offers plenty of space for people to come and light their candles with friends, on a date or in groups.
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Like Holland, Grand Haven is a beach town, so people were happy to have another entertainment option during the colder months – the busiest months are November and December.
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Chad Garsnett loves helping clients with experience.
“Your service experience is the reason I thrive,” Chad Garsnett said. “Helping people choose their scent and find a combination they love is my biggest motivation. I love interacting with people and being involved in the communities we now live in. That's why we're excited to expand it to Grand Haven.”
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