Jess and Drew Osi want to encourage shoppers to treat themselves. The motto of Mahogany House Candles in Homewood is “It’s OK to be a little bougie.”
At the store’s ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 26, Jess explained the idea, which plays on a shortened version of bourgeois, or middle to upper class desires.
“Sometimes we push things off to the side that we really want, small luxuries,” she said. “Sometimes it’s okay to indulge, and to be a little bougie. Get yourself something nice.”
The store at 1941 Ridge Road offers hand-poured wax candles and wax melts made of coconut and apricot wax that are clean burning, paraffin-free.
Jess turned to candle-making after she left her nursing career following the birth of the couple’s first child. In a news release, they said the craft “became her method of destressing and centering. Amid the whirlwind of family life, it offered moments of peace, relaxation, and control.”
After their second child was born, Drew was laid off from his job. The brand already had a following online, so Drew joined the effort to create a brick and mortar store to take the business to a new level.
“I’m proud to be part of a Black woman-owned business,” he said. “We’re just really excited to be here in Homewood. We grew up in the area.” Being part of the business allows him “to be able to celebrate my wife’s passion with the community and bring her vision to life.”
The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
