Made in Mass.: Company harnesses Rockport memories in unique candle scents
It’s been said, of the five major senses, smell has the strongest connection to memory – which is ideal for one Cape Ann candle maker.
"We make candles that are inspired by the sea and life in Rockport," said Christina Willcox, who started Rockport Candle Company in 2016.
She did so by doing things a little differently than most candle makers.
"Instead of finding great scents and then naming them and putting it in a candle, instead we name the candle first," she said.
With names like Sea Captain, Salt Water Taffy and Lazy Summer Morning, if she can think it, you can probably smell it.
"Like 'Fog Horn.' People think, 'Well, that doesn't smell.' Well, it does. If you think about what the air might smell like while the foghorn is going off," she said.
Through hours of research and plenty of trial and error, Willcox has been able to zero in on what makes Rockport's scent so unique.
The popularity of Cape Ann's coastline aromas has led her to expand to room sprays and soaps. But it's the candles with the clever and creative names that have sparked an interest by locals and visitors alike.
"Our best seller is Salty Sea Breeze. And that one is I think what people associate most with life by the sea," she said.
It's that connection to the sea, and the little town whose shores rest against it, that Willcox hopes she can capture with her ever-growing candle company.
"I think what we do is send people home with a way to capture their memories of Rockport," she said.