From Humble Beginnings: The Story of LH Mercantile

Hi there! I’m Lucas, the creator behind LH Mercantile, and I’m so excited to welcome you to my blog. If you love home fragrance, seasonal decorating, and finding joy in the little things, you’re in the right place. I created this space to share inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes looks into my candle-making journey. But before we dive into all that, I want to start by telling you a little bit about how LH Mercantile came to be.

How It All Began

LH Mercantile started in 2022, but the journey that led me here began long before that. When I moved to Champaign for my full-time job during the pandemic, I found myself in a new city without many friends. To keep my mind busy, I started crafting in my free time. Creating things with my hands became an outlet, and soon, I decided to turn that hobby into something more.Originally, my business was called LH Farmhouse Mercantile, and I focused on making t-shirts and painting signs. But everything changed in 2023 when I decided to try something new. I made wax melts for a craft show, and to my surprise, they were a huge hit—I left the show with only two melts out of the 50 I brought. That moment was my turning point. I realized how much people loved home fragrance, and I wanted to explore it further.

The Journey into Candle Making

In the spring of 2024, I took on the challenge of learning how to make candles. And let me tell you—it’s not as easy as it looks! Candle making is a science, and it took me over four months to perfect my recipe. From choosing the right wax and wicks to ensuring the perfect scent throw, every step required patience and precision. But through all the trial and error, I fell in love with the process.What I love most about making candles is their ability to transform a space and evoke memories. One of my first candles was Banana Bread, inspired by my mom’s recipe that she made countless times when I was growing up. Now that I live an hour and a half away from home, burning that candle instantly brings me back to our kitchen, baking together. That’s the feeling I want my customers to have when they light one of my candles—the warmth of a cherished memory filling their home.

What to Expect from This Blog

I hope this blog becomes a place of inspiration and comfort for you. I’ll be sharing:

• Decorating ideas to help you style your space for every season.
• Behind-the-scenes looks at my candle-making process.
• Scent stories that reveal the meaning behind my collections.
• Exclusive sneak peeks of what’s coming next for LH Mercantile.

Thank you for being here! I can’t wait to share more with you. Stay tuned for the next post, and in the meantime, feel free to follow along on social media or leave a comment—I’d love to hear from you!— Lucas