Popular Candle-making business grows too large for San Pedro Square Market

By Ryland Keeler

Candle entrepreneur Ashton Toefield has moved his successful candle bar, Ashy Aromas, to a new, larger location at the former JP Impressions space at 367 South First Street.

Ashy Aromas features hand-poured candles made from soy wax that bring fresh aromas into your home or workspace, The candle bar is now located in the trendy SoFA district of downtown San Jose, in the ground floor of the 360 Residences building.  With SoFA’s reputation for supporting arts and culture, the location is in harmony with Ashy’s product line of handmade candles.

Ashy Aromas started in a highly visible location in San Pedro Square Market, which was essential to the candle car’s rise to popularity. The business grew out of its 350-square foot space when they started offering candle-making workshops, which have grown in popularity and become one of the mainstays of the business.

Ashton moved to the Bay Area from Louisianna in February 2020, just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down retail businesses.  With no friends or family nearby, and forced to shelter in place, Toefield reignited his passion for candle-making, shipping his creations to friends and family in other parts of the country.  The response to his high-styling and quality fragrance was very positive, and a new business idea took form.

From a personal candle-making hobby to a thriving community oasis, Ashy Aromas has blossomed into a haven of connection, inspiration, and peace. What began as a coping mechanism during the pandemic has evolved into a space where individuals come together to create, connect, and find solace”, Toefield said.  “Ashy Aromas is not just a brand, but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community.”

Ashyaromas.com boasts over 90 scented candles to choose from with single, double, and triple wicks. With their primary focus on promoting the power of community, Ashy Aromas remains committed to this mission through their candle-making experiences. These experiences are curated to various group sizes, ranging from 1 to 30 guests at their candle shop and over 150 guests at client sites or partner locations. Corporate clients have included Meta, Adobe, Uber, Google, Intuit, EY, Deloitte, Salesforce, Apple,  and eBay.