Grant Berry, a local firefighter, just opened a new business on the southside that he hopes will give the community a place to come together, relax and create something unique.
Berry grew up on the east side, having graduated from Warren Central, and has spent the last eight years as a full-time firefighter. However, earlier this year, he had a vision for a business that could bring people together through a shared experience. Six months later, on Aug. 22, he welcomed Hoosiers to the grand opening of Prestige Candle Co., a luxury DIY candle studio.
The Recorder sat down with Berry shortly after Prestige Candle Co. celebrated its grand opening to discuss the community’s response and the experience of being a new, small business owner.
Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Why did you decide to start a business at this point of your life, more specifically a candle business?
Grant Berry: I love things that bring people together, and I always thought it was so interesting how fragrance and scents jog your memory. So, I wanted to put those two things together to create an experience where we bring people together and create memories together.
So, tell me about Prestige Candle Co. How did you come up with this idea?
Berry: I was thinking about what kind of hands-on activities we could do here on the South Side that could create an environment where people are happy and enjoying themselves with their friends, family or strangers; that will create a memory and an unforgettable experience.
What makes this business and experience unique? What can your future customers expect?
Berry: Here, the vibe is very luxurious. Our customer service is top tier. It’s very important to us to cater to our customers, and with our customers being able to leave and feel like they were greeted warmly and at least feeling like family.
First customers will come in, they’ll be greeted, and they’ll put on an apron before their experience starts. They’ll receive a candle-making guest experience card. After the guest experience card, they’re free to go through our 75+ fragrances on the wall. After they write down their favorites, our studio guide will help them narrow it down to their top three, and make sure that the top three go together. After that, we pour hot wax into their pitcher, they mix their hot wax with their fragrance, and then they pour their candle into their vessel.
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Your business had its grand opening on Aug. 22. What was that like? How has the community been responding since then?
Berry: It has been a very warm welcome to the South Side. The community, everyone has really enjoyed coming out and seeing the studio. The feedback I’m getting is it’s very beautiful inside. They love the warm tones, they love the plants, they love how it looks and smells.
In pursuing being a business owner, on top of your other full-time job, what has the experience been kind of getting to this moment, building up to opening day?
Berry: It’s been rewarding. It’s been a journey going through all the different obstacles that small business owners may come across day by day. It’s like putting out small fires, and it’s funny because I’m a firefighter.
I’ve done this all by myself. About six months in the making. … The build out took about three months. My hope is to create an experience on the south side, where people can come out and be proud of what we have to offer on the south side of Indy.
I have to ask, as a firefighter, did you see the irony in starting a candle business?
Berry: Safety is first, and I think it’s awesome that I’m able to educate the public on safe candle making and candle burning instructions. There are safety labels on the bottom of each candle, so I feel like I’m the first step in helping the public prevent some of those (house fires). In the long run, it might make my job easier.
Prestige Candle Co. is located at 8215 US 31 S. The studio is open Tuesday-Sunday, and weekend sessions can be booked online at prestigeindy.com or by emailing bookings@prestigeindy.com. For more information, follow Prestige Candle Co. on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
