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Our Story
Hi, I’m Melissa Knieriem, founder of Frankfort Candle Co. As a mom of four girls, preserving family memories was a priority for me and my family, as I’ve carried my own warm childhood memories with me throughout my life.
Vintage shopping and antiquing was always one of my favorite hobbies, and in those shops, I always felt like the pieces that I loved so dearly were destined for more. At the same time, my nostalgia for the ways that my grandmothers cultivated their homes sparked my desire to create something special that could be passed down by generations, just like my grandmothers did with their heirlooms.
In 2020, the pandemic turned the world upside down - and with people stuck at home, I knew that creating a unique space that reflects who you are would take on a whole new meaning and importance. With inspiration from my daughters, and encouragement from my family and friends, I prototyped my first vintage, hand-poured candle - and soon after, Frankfort Candle Co. was born.
I dove head-first into candles, with the goal to become the destination for the best vintage candle. I wanted customers to connect with the uniqueness of each piece, knowing no two were the same, and see a reflection of themselves and their style in their selection.
My first vintage candles became a hit in my community of Frankfort, IL, and I was thrilled to bring people together, namely through workshops, teaching students how to make my signature sustainable, clean-burning candles with curated luxe fragrances and wooden wicks, all of which can be continually refilled or repurposed. I even began filling clients’ own keepsakes to turn them into candles, bringing new life and purpose into cherished family heirlooms.
Through connecting with like-minded vintage and home decor lovers, I’ve learned how clients are seeking ways to decorate their homes that are not only stunning in appearance, but sustainable and functional, too.
In 2022, I officially launched Frankfort Candle Co. as a woman-owned small business that not only celebrates the significance of family heirlooms and memories, but also gives back to Chicagoland charitable causes through donating a portion of proceeds back to the community.
With a nod to the past, we can look to the future when you reuse your vessel - saving it from a landfill - and help you feel safe in our luxurious, toxin-free ingredients from renewable sources. We’re here to ignite the candle market, and we hope you cherish yours for years to come.