September 11, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

‘Flame-athon’ marks 20 years for Cathy McGuckin on Hill
by PAT STOKES

The Candle Shop has actually been in Chestnut Hill for 50 years, the last 20 under the ownership of Cathy McGuckin (left), who is aided by her assistant, Pam Jordan. (Photo by Pat Stokes)

There’s an old proverb (attributed mostly to the Chinese) that suggests “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” What a splendid idea! So we might ask, “Which candle? Made from what?” The answers to these questions and a couple hundred others can be found at the Candle Shop, 8432 Germantown Ave., a few steps either way from Caruso’s Market, mid-block, to Kilian’s on the corner.

Before we outline the details of this long-loved store, you must hear the Big News: To celebrate its 20 years under Cathy McGuckin’s ownership, the shop is planning a major wing-ding for the weekend of the 19th of September. It’s a “Flame-athon!” from Friday evening through Sunday. Cathy is planning special events; there will be free gifts, and even a raffle for baskets of candles, soaps and many other goodies.  They’ll have a name-drawing and numbered customers and, of course, light refreshments. Mark your calendar!

About the shop: Right away I want to assure those of you who aren’t exactly enchanted by the scent of scented candles, that as you enter this shop, you won’t be overwhelmed by heavy perfume, only the most delicate fragrance. We’ll get into the scented scene soon. For now, some overall fascinating facts.

Did you know that the Candle Shop has been in Chestnut Hill for 50 years? It was started that long ago, next to what was then Wawa’s. Over the first 30 years it went through several owners. Cathy McGuckin remembers a few names: Emlen, Warwick, Laws as one-time owners. Cathy took over the business in 1989. She remained in the Highland Ave. location until 1993, then moved around the corner to The Avenue. So this fall, she’s celebrating 20 years as owner. “This will be my 20th Christmas,” she says with deserved pride.

Cathy, like many competent Chestnut Hill retailers, has other skills as well. She’s a teacher by training. Born in the Philadelphia area, she grew up in Melrose Park, went to Melrose Academy, followed by Cabrini College and on to St. Joseph’s University for a masters in teaching. She taught at Upper Moreland School in Willow Grove until 1966.

At that point she met and married her husband, a Wharton School grad.

He became associated with Ford Motor Company, so off they went to Michigan, raised a family and lived there for 18 years. In Michigan she took a job in a public relations firm, including experience in retailing, which had great appeal for her. So when they moved back to Philly, in 1983 she applied for and got a manager-trainer job with Estee Lauder Cosmetics Company at the Wanamaker Store in Wynnewood. It offered the kind of challenge she enjoyed: training, buying, displays and accounts management. She stayed on until 1988, when she momentarily felt she should try teaching again, but the Candle Shop opportunity came along and changed everything.

What will you find here? Cathy tells me she carries upwards of 50 kinds of candles or candle-related things. For  years the most-wanted have been the long, beautiful dinner table tapers, available in many soft, lovely colors. They’re made from stirene wax, a by-product of oil. Stirene candles are also the ones used in churches.

As everyone knows, the latest interest is in scented soy-based candles. Since the ’90s, scented candles have flared up in popularity, not only among young marrieds but all ages, across the board, who realize that it is less expensive to entertain at home. “Candles set the mood for dinner,” says Cathy. “They bring your pressure down.” A few examples of the fragrances are heather-hyacinth, jasmine and pumpkin-spice. Soy-based candles burn a long time and burn cleaner, with very little smoke, and these days when everyone is “thinking green,” soy candles are popular because they are not oil-based. Cathy pre-tests every candle she carries to be sure they don’t contain petroleum, as some cheaper varieties do.

Now, you are asking, what about beeswax candles? Yes! Cathy carries just about the largest selection of beeswax candles anywhere. “They‘re the Mercedes of the candle industry. At holiday time we’ll have beeswax candles made with real bayberries, to set the tone for Christmas entertaining.” And what a lovely Christmas gift or hostess present! Cathy calls candles “the last affordable luxury today.”

Of course there are related items here too, such as soaps, candle holders and a unique air purifier called Lampe Berger which burns a certain oil that eliminates unpleasant odors. There’s much to see, lots to keep track of. Cathy is aided in this area by Pam Jordan, her capable and creative assistant. Beginning this Friday evening, the Candle Shop will be open to 8 p.m.

Regular hours, Monday thru Saturday, 10 to 5:30; Sunday, 1 to 5. Phone 215-248-1459.

See you on the Avenue.