Life & Style

Camp Candle Bar brightens downtown Syracuse one candle at a time

Camp Candle Bar brightens Syracuse one candle at a time

Syracuse natives Lauren and Ashley Naum hope Camp will provide a new light in the community with handmade candles.

Co-owned by sisters Lauren and Ashley Naum, Camp Candle Bar offers DIY candle and aromatic diffuser making classes, as well as workshops featuring combined activities.
Ella Chan
Camp Candle Bar in downtown Syracuse gives visitors the opportunity to create custom candles.

In the heart of downtown Syracuse, visitors can find Camp Candle Bar, a business built on sisterly love and childhood nostalgia. Syracuse natives Lauren and Ashley Naum have made it their mission to inspire customers since they opened last July, providing “a pillar and a light in the community” with handmade candles.

“Everyone has a story to tell and to share,” Ashley Naum said. “Candles give a doorway for people to share their heart, their memories, and the things that are close to them.”

A flame flickers in Camp Candle Bar on October 26. The Store offers DIY candle and aromatic diffuser making classes.
A candle flame flickers in Camp Candle Bar.

Growing up in upstate New York and visiting the Adirondacks frequently, these candles awaken thoughts of the past for the Naum sisters. The familiar smells of forests and fire provide comfort. 

“We want to bring that sort of peace in the atmosphere of being in the wilderness,” Ashley said. “To make a place that kind of mimics our home back to Armory Square.”  

The sisters feel they’ve mutually supported each other in establishing their new business. Where one has a shortfall, the other steps in to provide customers with an experience they’ll never forget.

Lauren Naum chats with one of her customers as they pick up their candle on Thursday, October 26. After DIY candle making classes, customers can pick up their candles themselves or have them shipped directly to their door.
Camp Candle Bar co-owner Lauren Naum with a customer.

“There are so many things we both bring to the table. We are kind of the perfect match,” Ashley said. “It’s been really rewarding to see both of us flourish in different areas, especially with building a business.” 

Camp Candle Bar allows customers to design their own candles from scratch with their choice of a variety of scents, curated jars and accessories. Candles size, the number of wicks, seasonal fragrances and more are available for personalization. The DIY candle business offers both group and individual sessions. 

The Naums feel Camp Candle Bar provides visitors with an outlet to express themselves. 

“We see groups come in here together and you can tell they’re all close friends,” said Brianna Curcio, the Naum’s younger sister who also works at the shop. “When they all choose the wackiest combinations, all incredibly different from one another, their personalities show.” 

Curcio says customers find selecting candle scents to be a joyful steps in the process. “It’s our customers’ favorite part– smelling all our scents,” she said. “They make their own custom scent that you can’t buy at a store. You made it here and it’s your own.”

Camp Candle Bar is constantly scaling up by adding new experiences and inventory while expanding their retail division. Products like dried flowers, blankets, self-care items and self-help books fill the shelves.

Most recently, Camp Candle Bar launched bamboo reed diffusers, which use the organic nodes inside bamboo sticks to diffuse scented oils, spreading the aroma through the air.

The business has been well received by the Syracuse community. What makes them unique, Ashley suspects, is they firmly believe in putting people over products, and providing customers with an experience they won’t be able to get anywhere else.

When they first opened, Curcio said a customer came into the store and assured them they were on the right path. 

“She just struck something in me and my sister,” Curcio said. “It was our first week and we were nervous. We still didn’t know where it was going to take us, but she was so supportive and nurturing. It was a great start to our first week.” 

The Naum sisters hope to teach visitors about the impact of aromas and the emotions they foster.

“It’s a new concept so many people don’t know too much about what it is,” said Naum. “Our core is always to educate.” 

CAMP often hosts workshops and events like “College Night,” “Pour + Graze Fall Soiree” and a “Pop-Up Night” in collaboration with Stranded Permanent Jewelry. All events are posted in advance on the website.

“We all go through so much in life, every single day and people just need a break. I always tell our customers to leave all that stuff outside that door,” said Lauren, “Anything that happens in here is all for you.” 

Camp Candle Bar is located at 191 Walton St in Armory Square. Camp is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.