All Love Collective — Local services in South Windsor

(Last visited 7/7/2022.) So a about week before we came here we saw a reel on Instagram from @Connecticut_BucketList for this place and it seemed pretty cool, but then later on that same week we were hanging out at a friend's house and guess who was there? The owner of All Love Candles! So we got to talking to her and she totally sold us on checking out her place, so here's how it went!

Atmosphere/Appearance: So located a lil' off the beaten path inside this giant brick building which looked like it used to be a mill of some sort, is this gem. The candle bar is located on the 2nd floor. Don't mind the renovations happening around the building, they have nothing to do with the candle bar. Once inside you're immediately hyped up by the upbeat 90's hip-hop playlist and the incredible smells of candle wax filling up the entire room. Off to your left is a shop of sorts where you can buy All Love Candles branded merchandise, straight ahead are big windows that let it a lot of light and to the right is the candle bar! So Bae and I sat in the corner closest to the pot of melted wax!

Service: Ajia and her assistant were AMAZING. They were helpful, friendly, fun and super knowledgeable about what scents work best with each other, but if you wanted to go off the rails they encouraged it. Lol.

Product/Experience: So first up we get the chance to choose 1 of 4 different containers to build our candle. After that a tray of more than 25 different essences came on over. There's stuff from coconut, snickerdoodle, vanilla, chocolate and peanut butter to more fruity flavors as well as some unorthodox ones. The sky is the limit. So then you're given some instructions on what to do with the melted wax and essence but during this time you have to wait for the wax to cool down. In the meantime you can sip on something you brought or much on a snack because this place is BYOB and BYOF! Bring your own drinks and food! How awesome is that?! Once the wax cools down another tray is brought over full of decorative things! You can put coffee beans, gold coins, flowers and all kinds of stuff into your wax. Now... if you didn't choose the clear glass container AND get the decorations closest to the outside of the candle, then you won't be able to see them except for on top. Lol. After the candle cools it'll get wrapped up for you and you can just chill out! Today was Thursday so there was a DJ present who was spinning the good stuff so we actually finished our candles and just hung out for another hour or so! It was a blast.

Value: Now... I'm not gon' hold you. It's $44.00 a person to make a candle and it takes about an hour and a half to do. That's kinda steep, BUT... it's a great experience and Ajia uses only the best materials. Plus, it's not something you are going to do all the time. If you come on Thursdays it's 1/2 off! Make sure you make a reservation because slots fill up so fast and there are only 12 seats per session.

In conclusion, this was such an awesome experience. I'd come make a candle every single Thursday if I could. It's such a fun, innocent and chill experience. The combinations of scents and decorations are seemingly infinite. Let me know when you go, maybe I'll meet you there!

If you've read this far, thank you for doing so and if you haven't had enough, head on over to "The Hungry Road" on YouTube to see a video review...

I had such an amazing time each time I’ve gone here! We lucked out and have been on nights there were DJs, which was fabulous and the music was great! This is a woman-owned small business, and the fabulous owner (Ajia) supports other women-owned small businesses! There are items for sale from these other businesses on display to check out and purchase, such as soaps and jewelry. There is no pressure at all to buy or even to look, but if you see something you want then get it before it's gone! So, back to the candle bar. The setup is cozy and intimate as I believe there are 12 stools for 12 spots at any one session at the candle bar. You are walked through the entire process and provided everything you need, with lots of decorations to add to your soy candle and at least 25 different scented oils to add to your candle, to get the perfect fragrance for your home! I think most of us mixed two scents together, and I chose Bamboo Coconut and Citrus Agave the first time. I mean c’mon, do you think you can go buy a candle with these two scents mixed into one? I think not! It's so amazing to have this experience without actually having to melt your own wax, clean whatever you melted the wax in, clean the beaker or measuring cup you mixed the scent in with the wax, and have anything to worry about other than showing up and leaving with a beautifully scented candle, that you made yourself! They remove all of the guesswork and guide you every step of the way. The candle bar is open Thursday-Sunday and you make your reservations right online. This place is BYOB, and BYOF? Bring your own food? Yeah, both! So bring some snacks or grab a sandwich or pizza and a bottle of wine/beer on the way and have a blast! I know you will, and you'll want to go back, and bring more friends, just like...

This is one of my new favorite places! Everything about my experience was amazing, starting with booking. I was initially scheduled for a day in May but had to change my plans. Ajia, the owner, was incredibly accommodating and let me change my date with no issues.

Once we arrived, Ajia was so nice and made the entire process enjoyable. She had a variety of games to choose from and shelves of products from local, woman-owned businesses for us to shop while we waited for our candles to set. We also had a great time just talking with her.

The candles themselves turned out great! Ajia had so many scents to pick from and lots of decorations to help customize the candle. The candles are clean burning, so they don't produce any soot or smoke.

Overall, I had a truly wonderful time and can't wait to go back. This would be a great activity for both large and small groups. Ajia allows guests to bring food and drinks to add to the fun. Her music selection was great, but she also gives the option for guests to connect to a speaker and play music of their choice. All Love Candles is a wonderful local business and I definitely...