When Ajia Loomis was let go from her corporate job during the pandemic lockdown she dreamed of owning a place where people could relax, socialize and make their own scented candles. She succeeded in 2021 by opening ALL Love Candles in Manchester, located in Hilliard Mills, 642 Hilliard St. “People walk in and feel this energy about the space,” Loomis said, of the 800-square-foot shop.
”It’s what I wanted this to be. My dream actually came true with that.” The business, sometimes called the “candle bar” is a place where friends, couples, even kids or parties celebrating events can gather to design their own candles with choices of 40 scents and several vessels in which to make them.
They can decorate with sparkles, rose petals and lots of other items, as well as making their own labels. The vibe is chill with music, twinkle lights, comfortable seating,and a BYOB and/or bring your own food option. There is a restaurant, Georgie’s Kitchen and a brewery, 2nd Bridge Brewing Co, located in the same building, so guests can even buy there and bring it in.
“It’s simple, not stressful,” Loomis said of the candle making. “And it’s therapeutic: the scents and warmness of the wax.” One measure of that, Loomis said, is that many guests want to “linger,” long after the candles are done.
“We never ask anyone to leave,” she said. Customer Kate Noonan said she loves everything about ALL Love Candles. “It’s just a really tranquil, peaceful place,” Noonan said.
“It’s so welcoming and the product is really great.” Noonan also adores that Loomis’ soy candle recipe with cotton wicks and no chemical laden paraben or paraffin, believed to be more healthful to burn. Damaris Lopez, works on decorating a candle at All Love Candles at the Hilliard Mills in Manchester on Monday, July 15, 2024.
(Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Damaris Lopez, works on decorating a candle at All Love Candles at the Hilliard Mills in Manchester on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Inside of All Love Candles at the Hilliard Mills in Manchester on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Inside of All Love Candles at the Hilliard Mills in Manchester on Monday, July 15, 2024.
(Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Inside of All Love Candles at the Hilliard Mills in Manchester on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) That’s one of Loomis’ favorite aspects too, along with her philosophy of supporting local, female owned businesses. Loomis, who was making the candles at home and selling them before she leased the space in 2021, has shelves for other women to sell their jewelry, soaps and other wares.
That’s because when she was just making candles to sell she had had a hard time getting into boutiques and the like because the store owners found better prices through outlets such as Amazon. “It’s difficult to get your name out there,” she said. “For me to be able to support that brings me a lot of joy.
I was there once.” She’s made it a community space too, by bringing in other experts to teaching charcuterie, jewelry making and more. Loomis keeps it interesting with themes, whether it’s Pride month, the beach, Mommy & Me, or the 90s.
There also are a lot of birthday and bachelorette parties, date nights, and girlfriend get togethers. They open around their bookings so there are no walk-in hours. Loomis said she wanted to open a space toward the end of COVID to “bring warmth and comfort to my family and friends during a time when everything was dark.
” “I just took the chance because I thought people would be yearning to go out,” Loomis said.”Especially with all the time we missed with our friends and family.” The “ALL” in the business name is for Loomis’ initials.
Her full name is Ajia Lee Loomis. “I included love because this business really came straight from the heart,” Loomis said. “And the love is also for the love I have for sharing the space with the community.
” “We just want everyone to come in and feel so comfortable they don’t want to leave,” Loomis said. As for the candles, they have, “all kinds of scents,” she said. Lavender is popular because guests can mix it with others such as lemon and vanilla.
Sandalwood and clean cotton are also popular. She also makes custom candles for other local businesses and for personal events such as baby showers and wedding favors. “I love the people.
The people I get to know,” she said. “I have really made some beautiful connections. The people, I feel, give back to me.
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