Second Light Candle Bar specializes in healthy, soy candles


This quaint room at Monticello Motel is used for small groups booking a private homemade candle workshop.

Second Light Candle Bar, housed inside Monticello Motel, specializes in soy candles. Not only do they sell a variety of sizes and scents, but you can also book a private party and make your own. (Photos by Kim Brooks)
SALUTE TO CORN AND SOYBEANS
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     If you drive by Monticello Motel on E. Oak Street/Highway 38, you might not think anything of it. Most people don’t consider what a hotel has to offer until they need a cozy place to stay for the night.

   It might surprise you to know, especially those in the community, that the motel is also home to Second Light Candle Bar & Gift Shop.

   Arletta Tayek and her son Gerald Van Boering are business partners and co-own the motel. Tayek resides in Anamosa and is the on-site property manager of the motel. Boering resides in Colorado, but his vision for what Monticello Motel could offer the community and travelers has certainly transformed the business!

   The mother-son duo has been making homemade products such as candles, soaps, lip balms, and scrubs for about 15 years. But it was in 2020 when they turned their focus to soy candles.

   “Through research and first-hand experience in making other apothecary products, we naturally gravitated back toward candles after selling them years ago in our gift shop in Palo, Iowa,” shared Tayek.

   In June 2022, they took over ownership of the motel and opened Second Light inside the office space.

   “We thought with the foot traffic here, this would be perfect for the candle business,” offered Tayek.

   Aside from selling various sizes and fragrances of soy candles, they also sell soy wax bars and soaps.

   As for why they primarily use soy, it’s healthier to burn versus some waxes.

   “Soy burns clean versus leaving soot around the rim of a candle,” explained Tayek. “In pursuit of high-quality products that are better for you, we ultimately decided the best way to reach that goal was to make it ourselves.”

   The soy wax is the base of all of their candles. They also use essential oils and homemade fragrances to add a nice, calming smell to the candles.

   “Our fragrances are all inspired by bakery items, cocktails, and coffee house finds,” teased Tayek. “We wanted to lean into a bespoke bar and coffee house-vibe with our core fragrances.

   “As we grow, we are branching out into new areas and themes with each new collection,” she continued. “We even have a late-night pizza scented candle coming soon!”

   Second Light also sells unscented candles for those who want to enjoy the ambiance of a lit candle, but can’t have a pungent fragrance.

   Tayek is quite the expert in what goes into candle-making. For instance, their candles contain either wood or cotton (traditional) wicks.

   “Cotton is the standard,” she said. “Wood wicks burn longer.”

   Their candles come in a variety of different vessels: glass, tin, bowls, mugs, and more.

   The majority of the ingredients used at Second Light are purchased in Iowa and the Midwest.

   The unique thing about Second Light is that you can book an appointment for a small group to come and enjoy a private candle-making party inside Monticello Motel! They host workshops for book clubs, birthdays, bridal parties, etc. Due to space limitations, Tayek suggests no more than a dozen or so, as they renovate the motel to offer more space for a larger group.

   These candle workshops are also restricted to those age 15 and older.

   “You come in, learn the process, pick your own fragrance, enjoy your own cocktails, and have a good time,” offered Tayek.

   The motel does not sell or offer adult beverages, but groups can bring in their own when booking a workshop.

   Those who book a time will be able to make two 8-ounce tin candles, each with the same scent.

   “It’s a hands-on experience,” said Tayek. “I try to keep it to a certain timeframe to make sure the wax sets and is firm before you take your candles home. When they cool down, we add the oils.”

   As part of the class, Tayek shares her basic knowledge about soy candles. For instance, she said the number-one rule of thumb people don’t know when lighting a candle, depending on the size of the vessel, you need to keep it lit/burning long enough that it doesn’t create a memory ring. (A memory ring forms around the wick of a candle that is not allowed to burn/melt all the way to the edge of the vessel.) For an 8-ounce candle, she suggests letting it burn for two to two and a half hours during its first burn.

   Also, when burning a candle, make sure it’s sitting on a fire-safe surface so it doesn’t burn the top of your table, for example.

   Workshops are by appointment only. To book, call 319-465-5418 or visit secondlightcandlebar.com.

   “Our hours vary,” warned Tayek.

 

 

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