SW Idaho candle company lights up local economy

MERIDIAN, Idaho - A scented candle company in southwest Idaho is lighting up the local economy by sending out some 1,000 employees, suppliers and their family members with $100,000 and orders to spend, spend, spend.

Meridian-based Scentsy is spending $2,500 at each of 40 locally owned retailers, restaurants and other businesses Saturday to celebrate its five-year anniversary of making fragrant, wick-free candles.

Each individual with money to burn from the candle company is spending $50 at each of two businesses and can keep whatever they purchase.

"We thought about doing a typical celebration for a company like ours," John Curtis, public relations strategist for Scentsy, told the Idaho Statesman. "We thought maybe we'd do a carnival, rent some rides from some company in California for our employees. But then we thought: Why not spend the money here instead?"

The businesses were selected based on nominations by Scentsy employees, one of them being Shu's Idaho Running Co. in Boise.

"They bought a ton of stuff," said Mike Shuman after the 50 shoppers came through his store. "Everything from insoles to shorts to shoes to books. I love the concept."

Scentsy is owned by Orville and Heidi Thompson. Orville Thompson said he and his wife fell $700,000 in debt after the 9/11 terrorist attacks hurt their previous business, but they worked long days for years to get back on their feet with the candle company.

"We thought if we could help companies that were like we were, then that contribution can be much more valuable than getting a fancy party," he said.

"Our employees benefit because they get the goods," he added. "And the stores benefit and the community benefits. We thought it was a triple win."

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