One might think making a candle is all about fun and creating something that smells nice. At Sea Love in Oak Park, it’s so much more – it’s a ritual, it’s a story, and it’s family.
Co-owners and spouses Tatiane Varjao and Miguel Salinas opened their store on Marion Street less than a year ago. It is a specialty hands-on candle and perfume crafting experience and the second location of Sea Love for Illinois. Their ties to the company go back further.
Their family was first introduced to the Maine-based business during a previous holiday season when Varjao’s mother was going through cancer treatment. Varjao shared she was feeling better and the entire family decided to go to Sea Love in Naperville to spend time together in an easy environment.
“For the hour that we set to make candles, everything stopped,” said Varjao. “It became just that warm feeling of family, holidays, enjoying it, and we loved the experience.”
They now welcome everyone in to create the same feeling of peace and belonging with the guiding motto “everybody has a seat at this table.” The shop is located at 121 N. Marion St.
“If we have a bar that seats 20, for us it’s more symbolic,” said Salinas. “I think that’s the bigger underlying principle for us is really about wanting to be part of a community, and really being family oriented, and having a spot that people feel welcomed like this is our house.”
Varjao immigrated to the U.S. from Brazil as a child and Salinas is a first-generation Mexican-American. They shared that both of their cultures are deeply rooted in community which is reflected in the store culture of acceptance and inclusion.
“Being an immigrant, I never in a million years thought that I would watch some of the things that go on, that are going on still. It’s a really scary place to be in society, but I think it’s really scary for immigrants in general because of the unknown where can I go,” said Varjao. “This is a safe space.”
Salinas said his favorite part of running the store is the conversations he gets to have with customers. Someone sharing their story is something he “cherishes” and “doesn’t take lightly.”
“As I interact with others, that’s my culture that interacts with you, those are my parents that are interacting with you,” said Salinas. “When you go into a place and you greet people and you embrace and enjoy the dialog, relationships are more important than the time.”
The store has over 100 scents to choose from when creating your candle, or they have a newly launched perfume option as well. Customers are able to walk-in, make a reservation or even book a private party, and people of drinking age can enjoy an alcoholic beverage while they craft as the store now has a liquor license.
If anyone wonders what the “secret sauce” to a good candle and a good experience at Sea Love is, Salinas put it simply: “It’s relationships. It’s community. It’s family.”