Our Story

Welcome to NorthWood Candle & Craft Supply! We are honored to share our journey with you—our amazing customers. Over the years, we’ve grown beyond our wildest dreams, and we’re deeply grateful for your support, loyalty, and trust. You are the reason we’re here today.

New Ownership, Same NorthWood Values

NorthWood has recently transitioned to new ownership with an exciting mission: to deliver an even higher level of customer service, expand our selection of top-selling products, and continue building on the values that have defined us from day one. While we grow and evolve, we remain committed to the quality, community spirit, and integrity that you’ve come to know and love.

How We Started

The seeds of NorthWood Candle were planted by our founder, Brian, whose love for candle-making began as a child working alongside his father. After his father passed away in 2010, Brian honored his memory by creating a business plan for NorthWood Candle Company. Just a year later, he opened a kiosk at the Mall of America—marking the beginning of our story.

During those bustling holiday seasons, thousands of candles and bath products found happy homes. But the challenge of managing every role—from production to sales to bookkeeping—sparked a new vision: to build a supply company that provided makers with the premium materials and dependable service Brian had always dreamed of.

In 2016, after sourcing high-quality fragrances, wicks, wax, and essential supplies, NorthWood Distributing was born.

Our Business Journey

What began in a spare bedroom quickly moved to a 1,200 sq. ft. warehouse in Le Sueur, MN. Demand grew fast, and soon our first full-time employee (now our Warehouse Manager) joined the team. Two years later, we relocated to our current home in the historic Steffen Hardware building in downtown Belle Plaine, MN—where creaky wood floors and local history add to the charm.

From 12 original fragrances, we’ve expanded to offer 450+ unique scents, 15 wick types, custom-blended waxes, and a full range of supplies for candles, soaps, bath bombs, body products, and more. Every item we add is something we’d proudly use ourselves, and we’re always scouting for innovative new products our customers will love.

Where We Are Now

We’ve shifted our focus entirely to serving the maker community, no longer producing candles ourselves. This allows us to devote all our resources to helping you succeed—whether you’re a hobbyist, small business, or large-scale production studio.

As former candle makers and small business owners, we understand your challenges and joys firsthand. That perspective drives our commitment to providing exceptional service, top-quality products, and ongoing support for your creative journey.

NorthWood Team & Values

From one employee to a dedicated team working both on-site in Belle Plaine and remotely, we’ve grown because of your trust and support. Every order you place helps us create jobs, improve employee benefits, and pay a livable wage well above minimum standards.

We believe in work-life balance, offering flexible schedules, paid time off, and remote work opportunities so our team can thrive both professionally and personally. We also give back—supporting local charities and encouraging staff to volunteer with paid time-off incentives.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Story

Every purchase, review, and recommendation makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for being an essential part of NorthWood’s journey. Together, we’re creating something truly special—one craft at a time.