In 1994, a love of candles led Jeanette “Jay” Kucharski to learn the art of candle making. Initially, it began as a hobby. However, soon, she shared her love of all things wax with her daughter, Kim Reagen, who became hooked in 1998. Over a two-year period, the pair, along with Kim’s father, Joe “Bob” Kucharski, worked hard to develop one-of-a-kind paraffin and soy wax recipes, luminary and candle embedment designs, creative candle combinations and the concept for the very unique store in Cave Creek, Ariz., where their candles now are produced and sold.
In 2001, Kim’s daughter Jessica joined the two generations of candle makers learning candle making and the retail and customer service aspects of the business. Today, Cave Creek Candles & Gifts – the only store of its kind in Arizona and the Southwest – has expanded its candle and aromatherapy lines to include wax-related accessories and other specialty items that its many fans have requested.