About Begonia & Bench

We’re Darren and Michelle, and we make candles by hand in Hastings, Minnesota — population 23,000, on the bluffs above the St. Croix River. Every candle we make plants a tree in a U.S. National Forest through our partnership with the National Forest Foundation. We’ve planted over 13,000 trees so far, and we’re just getting started. Our candles aren’t made on an assembly line. We developed our own hand-pouring methods, our own botanical wax blends, and our own finishing processes. Our 9oz Amber Jar line uses 100% soy wax and burns clean for 50+ hours. Our 12oz Artisan Collection uses a proprietary blend of rice bran, coconut, and soy waxes that develops richer aroma over time — candles that actually get better with age. We’ve been featured in Woman’s Day, Minnesota Monthly, Fox 9, and The Jason Show. Our customers say things like “This is the only candle that doesn’t bother your dad’s nose” and “I’ve found no other candle anywhere that comes close.” Those aren’t marketing lines — they’re real reviews. For your store: our 9oz line is the sweet spot for retail. Accessible $24 MSRP, strong margins, year-round and seasonal scents, and a story your customers will ask about. The amber jar is beautiful on the shelf and can be reused or recycled by customers after burning. We ship fast, we communicate clearly, and we stand behind every candle. Read their story