The Homewood Village Board approved requests from two Ridge Road candle-making studios seeking Class 12B Bring Your Own liquor licenses at the Nov. 11 meeting. 

According to Homewood Director of Finance Amy Zukowski, the Class 12B license allows art studios or retail stores that offer craft-making classes to allow customers to bring and consume beer or wine on the premises while they are engaged in some type of art or do-it-yourself project. 

Blue Pearl Candles moved to a brick-and-mortar location at 2050 Ridge Road in fall 2024. The business hosts hands-on candle-making classes where customers create their own custom candles. The owners hope that by allowing customers to bring their own liquor that it will enhance the experience. The business refers to this as “candles and cocktails,” Zukowski said. 

Mahogany House Candles, located at 1941 Ridge Road, has been open since fall 2024. The business is described as a “premium candle boutique and experiential candle-making studio where guests gather to create hand-poured candles in a relaxing, sensory environment,” Zukowski wrote. 

The business also believes that the option to enjoy alcoholic beverages while crafting would elevate the experience for clients, she said. 

“It creates an opportunity to bring people out to our space who may not come just to buy candles, but they would be looking for an experience,” said Drew Osifalujo, co-owner of Mahogany House Candles. 

Following the approval of the requests, Blue Pearl Candles and Mahogany House Candles are now set to soon start the application process to officially obtain their liquor licenses. If the owners successfully complete all requirements for the license, an ordinance to increase the number of available Class 12B licenses would come back to the board for approval at a future meeting, Zukowski said.