When Judi Benninghoff launched her life's passion, she was schlepping stuff all over the region. The colorful owner and operator of The Candlestick Maker in downtown St. Joseph worked the regional craft show circuit for nearly a dozen years. From the Blueberry Festival in South Haven to Amish Acres…from the Ship-n-Shore Festival in New Buffalo to the Apple Fest in Niles she would pack and unpack, sit, smile and sell her wares.
Facing five-hour set-ups and tear-downs in addition to showtime itself just became way more than Judi wanted to do after 11 years in the trade. She settled in with a permanent slot at the American Countryside Farmer's Market in Elkhart, Indiana, but three years later the whole market shut down, leaving her in search of her next option.
Judi finally decided perhaps it was time to find a brick and mortar home for her business. She tells me that St. Joseph was far and away the best choice with a great location and "far more year round potential than New Buffalo or South Haven." Additionally, her son, Ed Bennett, was already living in St. Joseph and since he actively participates in her marketing and accounting as well as running the store weeknights and Saturdays, it was logical to set up in St. Joe. Besides, Ed also is a prime vendor of unique crafts and lighthouse photos for the business.
The Candlestick Maker celebrates five years in business this spring, having established the shop at 408 State Street in downtown St. Joseph on April 6, 2011. Judi tells me that the business has grown steadily, with each passing year and 2015 was the best year yet. Additionally, 2016 is begun with a record pace, with January and February the busiest of those two months ever on record.
Judi, who calls herself the Chief Fragrance Officer, pegs the success of her business to the huge variety of products appealing to both visitors and local gift seekers alike. Plus, the famous Lolli, the house-dog is a friendly greeter in a very dog-friendly community. Judi says her diligence to maintaining steady, predictable, hours seven days a week all year long help people who work but still want to find time to shop with them.
The Candlestick Maker features handmade items from 17 local artists including beach glass, beaded and paper-beaded jewelry, homemade rugs, and ceramic decorative gifts. Other items in the house include clocks, coasters, trivets, picture frames made of local beach glass and stones, hand-made greeting cards, water colors & prints, paper quilling, lighthouse photos and canvases, hand-made soaps and lotions, and nautical home decor. The shop also offers the largest selection of room fragrance products in the area.
The shop will celebrate it's 5th Anniversary on Saturday, April 2, 2016 from noon to 6pm with refreshments offered and everything in the store priced at 15-percent off. The shop is currently open from 10am until 7pm seven days a week right alongside the popular Buck Burgers & Brew.
