* What: Beeswax candles
* Company: Sale Creek Honey Co.
* Address: P.O. Box 32, Sale Creek 37373
* Web site: www.salecreekhoney.com
* Telephone: 332-5275
* Owners: Eddie and Lou McKenzie
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Staff photo by Tim Barber/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Lou McKenzie sets up her booth to sell her Queen Bee Candles on Wednesday at the Farmer's Market on East Main Street near Hiroshi's restaurant. Eddie McKenzie, her husband, is the bee keeper for Sale Creek Honey.
* What’s special: Although they aren’t certified organic, Mrs. McKenzie said the Sale Creek Honey wax is produced by beeswax that is not exposed to antibiotics. The pollen gathered by local bees also produces a wax that burns more efficiently than most, she said.
* The origin story: Mrs. McKenzie became interested in candlemaking as a way to take advantage of an unused byproduct of her husband’s beekeeping. She created a candle that would burn well, cleanly and be nontoxic. The pollen gathered by local bees produces a wax that burns surprisingly well, Mrs. McKenzie said
* How long does it take to make: The pillar candles take the longest to set and can be produced two per mold per day. Tea lights are the quickest and can set in 30 minutes.
* Where it’s sold: Wednesdays at the Main Street Farmers Market and on the first and last Sunday of the month at the Chattanooga Market.
* How long have they been making them: Sale Creek Honey Co. was founded in 1976. Mrs. McKenzie began learning to make candles in 2008 and had them ready to sell the following spring.
* Expansions planned: Mrs. McKenzie said she’s been asked to produce smaller taper candles for churches but can’t justify buying new molds.
* Lessons of the trade: “Always listen to your customer and be prepared to ask for a living wage because people will always try to do deals,” Mrs. McKenzie said. “If you can sell a product without the label, that’s a good thing.”
Casey Phillips has worked as a features reporter in the Life department for three years. He writes about entertainment, young adults, animals and people of interest. Casey hails from Knoxville and earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism and a bachelor of arts in German. He previously worked as the features editor for Sidelines at Middle Tennessee State University. Casey received the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalists Award of Excellence for Reviewing/Criticism in ...
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