Community-oriented. Creative. Resilient. 

These words have come to define The Haute Wick Social, a business that has evolved far beyond the candle-making bar it first opened nearly eight years ago. 

Today, the shop operates as Huntington’s only candle-making bar featuring an ever-growing mix of cruelty-free, phthalate-free and clean-burning products, workshops and collaborations designed to bring people together through creativity. 

“When I first opened, the shop was solely experience-based,” founder Ashley Casto said. “During COVID, we had to switch overnight to selling products to keep the shop going.”

What Casto didn’t know was that this pivot would transform the business into something much larger. 

While guests still flock to the shop for the hands-on candle pouring experience, Haute Wick has expanded into seasonal candle collections, tart melts, room sprays, reed diffusers, perfumes, wholesale partnerships, and even mobile candle and perfume-making events. 

When a customer takes a visit to peruse the shop, Casto said they can expect a full gift store with a variety of items beyond just candles, including perfumes, body soaps, tart melts, home decor, headbands, and a jewelry bar. 

Candle-making workshops may be booked ahead of time on The Haute Wick Social website, offering a step-by-step experience for guests, she added.

“We blend the scent, name the scent and show them how to pour it,” Casto said. “They can make candles, they can make tart melts, or if they want something flameless, they can add on diffusers, body butters or body sprays, so the sky is the limit.” 

In addition to the candle-making bar and Haute Wick original scents, Casto said she enjoys collaborating with other Huntington hotspots to create personalized candles for local businesses. 

“I absolutely love creating candles for other businesses,” she said. “I love creating a line that brings their brand to life.”

This summer, Casto said the shop is leaning fully into seasonal offerings with the launch of Cabana Club, a new scent featuring warm caramel, vanilla and pistachio notes. 

Likewise, Haute Wick is also preparing for its Summer Kick Off event, featuring special Travel Bundle workshops where guests can create body butter, a candle tin, and body mist. 

Haute Wick patrons can also look forward to a special America 250-themed candle collection, with specific details to come. 

Beyond the products themselves, Casto said she believes the growing popularity of candle pouring comes from people wanting meaningful experiences they can share with those around them.

“It gives people something fun and creative to do,” she said. “I hear all the time that ‘there’s nothing to do here,’ so experiences like candle pouring give people a chance to get out, create something, and spend time with friends or family.”

That sense of community continues to shape the candle shop, Casto said. Haute Wick hosts weekly workshops Thursday through Saturday where guests can create candles, reed diffusers, room sprays, tart melts, and perfumes. 

The shop also continues its partnerships with local organizations and businesses all year long. 

“Our Blenko candle launched in early May, and Nomada is getting ready to launch a full candle collection,” she said. 

Aside from supporting the Huntington community, Casto said adding staff to the team has been both a milestone and a meaningful reward.

“I really get to work with them, and I love watching their development, their confidence build, and to be able to see what they’re going to do after they graduate college or their next steps after high school.” 

As she looks to the future, Casto said she hopes what began as a personal outlet will continue to grow into a glowing example of creativity and community care, one hand-poured candle at a time.

For more from our day with The Haute Wick Social, check out the full photo gallery.

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