A Hidden Gem at Ponce City Market

If you’ve ever been to Ponce City Market in Atlanta, you probably entered from the front entrance like most people, but what if I told you there’s a less frequented, side entrance that has a gem of a store? Right next door to Alex and Ani, and across from Paper Goods lies Candlefish. And no, it’s not a store full of candles and fish (that’d be interesting), but a cool store filled with delicious smelling candles and a bonus: they have candle making classes. It’s like sip and paint vibes but with lots of smell goods. This place is an instant mood changer with a calming feel and a dope playlist.

As soon as you walk in, there’s a candle “library” filled with candles marked one to one hundred. The reason Candlefish doesn’t name their candles is because they don’t want you to become biased by reading a name or the ingredients first. They pretty much want your nose to be the decider which isn’t too much to ask, right? Once you’re all checked in, it’s time for class to start.

The easy part: making the candles. The hard part: picking your fragrance. The chandlers in the making had just fifteen minutes to choose from a large selection of fragrances. Fifteen minutes might seem like a lot, but when your nose is torn in so many different directions, the decision comes down to the wire. With the help of a mini clipboard and pen, you’re able to take notes and mark next to the numbers you love most. After the tough decision is made, the candle making begins.

The instructor leads the class in getting just the right amount of oil and wax, all for the perfect candle. The coolest thing about the candles is that they’re made using soy wax which has quite a few benefits. Soy candles are natural, healthier to breathe in, and have a 50-70 hour burn time which means they burn slower and last longer. So, at Candlefish you get to have fun making candles and leave knowing you’ve got the healthy candle advantage over Bath & Body Works. Yup, doesn’t really get any better than that. Here’s how you can sign for a class. Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever been candle making or if you think you’d want to go!

Price: $50 - $75 (varies by class)

Location: Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE W118, Atlanta, GA 30308