Millheim business finds familiar spot to expand in State College

Romance, religious practices and trying to see in the dark sometimes have one thing in common — candles.

If nothing else, a burning wick and melting wax can at least make a room smell great.

Good Scents Candle Co.owner Judy Shawver knows that. She began making candles in her home about 25 years ago, and her small business grew out of three rooms in her home to a shop in Millheim and now a space in Nittany Mall.

A regular holiday tenant in the mall, Shawver signed on to stay three extra months in a storefront.

“I am glad that we could work together in helping her stay after the holidays,” mall manager Polly Welch said. “It was a big risk for her, but it is one that is paying off. We get a lot of calls for products like hers and she has a huge following from people shopping here during the holidays. Good Scents Candles fits perfectly in the Nittany Mall family.”

The store also sells home decor like rugs, curtains and furniture.

“The space was available, and we were asked if we’d want to try a storefront versus just a holiday stay,” Shawver said. “We’ve always done really well there, and you don’t know unless you try. We decided to test the waters, and we’re still doing well after the holidays. If we can work something out with the mall, I think we’ll stay.”

Shawver believes years of building the shop’s brand helped to draw a following into the mall.

“We’ve had a good reputation for a long time, and that’s because of our local people,” Shawver said. “You have to really appreciate your local people, because they are your bread and butter. They helped us build this. I think we did it the right way.”

Shawver said the Millheim location at 115 E. Main St. will remain open.

“Oh, yeah, we wouldn’t close it,” she said. “We do well there, and it’s also where we do our manufacturing.”

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 11:48 AM with the headline "Millheim business finds familiar spot to expand in State College."