Mahogany House Candles, a candle shop that makes and produces candles made from 100% coconut apricot wax, is set to celebrate its Grand Opening at 1941 Ridge Road in downtown Homewood on Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9. The owners, Flossmoor residents Jessica Osifalujo and Drew Osifalujo, who are husband and wife, said they’re excited for the transition from an online shop to a brick-and-mortar store.
Jessica said she discovered the joy of candle-making after having her first baby in 2021. She described candle-making as an “unexpected love.” Jessica said making candles was originally just something she did to relax during her “transition into motherhood” and after going from working as a nurse to being a stay-at-home mom.
Cocoa butter is a commonly used scent for Mahogany House. Jessica said that she makes a citrus-scented candle and the smell of it can help energize her in the morning. Other scents include but aren’t limited to ripe berries, black cherry, amber and vanilla.
Mahogany House was a vendor at the Black Women’s Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago in August. Seeing how people reacted to the scent of the candles gave the couple the confidence to open a brick-and-mortar store, Jessica said.
According to research conducted by the website server platform GoDaddy and the Brookings Institute, Black women have emerged as the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States. Jessica said that she’s proud to be a part of this trend.
“I’m excited that we’re finally out – us, as in Black women – and finally getting to spaces that we weren’t traditionally able to be in,” Jessica said. “It’s a time when we can authentically be ourselves and not be judged for it.”
Drew was the primary breadwinner while she was a stay-at-home mom. He said that after he was laid off from his job in the tech industry, he became more involved as Mahogany House’s co-owner.
“I was laid off in July. And before then, I would help out if she needed something in [Microsoft] Excel. If there was something she didn’t quite understand computer-wise, I’d help out,” Drew said. “Once I was laid off, that really put me in a position – what is my purpose here? How am I helping to provide?”
Drew said that since Mahogany House became more of a combined partnership between him and his wife, it’s only grown and continued to thrive.
“The last few months have been a lot. They’ve been really tough on our family,” Drew said. “I think this candle business and the way we’ve been able to come together has been really powerful for us.”
Mahogany House’s Grand Opening celebration will be a two-day event, Drew said. Homewood village officials are set to cut the blue ribbon on the morning of Friday, Nov. 8. Because Friday is a work day for many people, Drew said family and friends are invited to celebrate the next day.
Jessica said she views Homewood and Flossmoor as “close-knit” communities and looks forward to becoming more involved as a local retailer.