Apr 5, 2011

Grandville Candle Store Continues To Evolve From Its Sweet-Smelling OriginsBy Mary RadiganMLive.com

GRANDVILLE — Julie Poll figured it was time to add a baby items section to her store, now that she is a grandmother.

In fact, at The Candle Experience, customers can not only browse through pint-sized displays of clothing, but they also can gaze at photos of Poll’s year-old granddaughter modeling some of the fashions.

“The photos help sell the clothing,” Poll said with a laugh. The whole department has proved to be popular since Poll added it in November to her eclectic retail store in the Grandville Plaza at 2939 Wilson Ave. She also added other lines of merchandise, as she continues to evolve from a shop that simply sold candles when she opened it in 2004.

Before that, Poll was a home party representative for Mary Kay Cosmetics and Affordable Luxuries, a former online home party business.

“I was trying to carry all this stuff around and I just got tired of it,” she said. “When Affordable Luxuries decided to close down, they sold me their inventory and I opened this store.”

With 2,000 square feet, Poll, 50, was able to host a small room in the back for themed parties, as well as sell merchandise up front.

“I was strictly candles and some small décor at first,” said the Grandville resident. “Customers kept asking for more candle lines and items like wedding merchandise and rentals, balloons, gift baskets and chocolates, so it was getting very crowded.”

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