When New York City shut down during the pandemic, Brandon Brinkley saw the light — the candlelight that is.
After having a successful fashion career in New York City for 10 years, Brinkley returned to his Norfolk home where he learned to make candles from his husband in their West Ghent kitchen. He started crafting them for a friend who owned the Velvet Witch gift shop, which grew as a tenant in Selden Market to a storefront in Ghent.
“During the 2020 shutdown, making candles gave me the opportunity to do something creative and meaningful for our community,” Brinkley said. “This is when my transition occurred, and I became a full-time candlemaker.”
Shortly after, Norfolk Candle was born from Brinkley’s successful inventory at the Velvet Witch. His first candle, named Cool Aunt, included the scents juniper, vanilla, amber and patchouli. He said the scents and name were inspired by his sister-in law’s cabin: “She’s such a cool aunt.”
Soon, Brinkley began participating in markets and pop-ups. He signed on for a full year when the Ghent Farmers Market started in 2021. He’s now in his fourth season there.
“The farmers market is so unique and beautiful. We’ve been able to test our new scents and expand our offerings,” Brinkley said. “It is here where we grew. We connect with the customers and receive feedback.”
In 2021, Brinkley started to make candles in unique vessels such as vintage tea cups, mugs, fruit bowls, teapots and glasses. The business offers refills in the vintage pieces, and customers often bring family heirlooms. He said the candles are meant to express joy and remember others with their scents or special heirloom pieces.
Over the years, Norfolk Candle expanded to a full line of gift items that includes totes, apparel, flags, books and art prints. It gained visibility operating a pop-up shop on Granby Street.
In July, Norfolk Candle opened a brick-and-mortar location inside Selden Market downtown. Brinkley said he chose the location because of the “dynamic” space that continually supports local artists and small businesses.
Norfolk Candle became a known name quickly in the pop-up circuit, and its candles are in many homes across Hampton Roads, said Careyann Weinberg, director of economic vitality for Downtown Norfolk Council, which operates Selden Market.
“They bring a lot of joy and charisma to all that they do,” Weinberg said. “That paired with a high quality product and business knowledge has produced quick growth.”
The business has created candles and signature scents for local shops, special occasions, yoga studios and organizations such as Virginia Stage Co., LGBT Life Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School and others.
“Everything I do, I’m passionate about,” Brinkley said. “I could see the potential from the conversations I had with people when they received the candles. That encouraged me to continue with this path.”
Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net
If you go
What: Norfolk Candle
Where: 208 E. Main St., Selden Market
Visit: NorfolkCandle.com, @norfolkcandle on Instagram and Facebook
