A Sydney media executive turned candle-maker has reopened a beloved Tasmanian home fragrance brand in Richmond village, betting on bricks-and-mortar retail in a tough economic climate.
Fiona Ellis-Jones and her husband Mark took over Richmond Botanicals Co. last year.
The candle and skincare label has been operating in Tasmania for 14 years.
Ellis-Jones is the Head of News and Information at the Australian Radio Network and splits her time between Sydney and Hobart. She previously led audio news at the ABC.
The couple recently opened a physical store in Richmond, returning the brand to the village it was named after.
“Richmond Botanicals has been a much-loved Tasmanian institution for the last 14 years,” Ellis-Jones told Pulse.
“To be able to open up a shop and really bring it back home to the community where it’s based has just meant the world to us.”
Ellis-Jones moved to Tasmania from Sydney five years ago with her husband and four children.
The move was originally meant to last two years for Mark’s work as a marine scientist.
The family also runs Barrenjoey Farm at Richmond with Highland cows alpacas and sheep, which now operates as a full-time accommodation business.
Ellis-Jones said opening a shop in the current retail climate was a gamble.
“We’re probably completely crazy,” she said. “We’ve already had one interest rate hike since we’ve been open.”
“A lot of retailers, in particular small businesses, are closing down, so it is a real gamble.”
But she said local support had been strong, including at this month’s Agfest where the business made its debut.
“I was blown away by Agfest. It was our first Agfest experience and I just loved meeting all the locals,” she said.
The candles are hand-poured in Richmond using 100% eco soy wax and local botanicals.
Each candle takes about a week to produce and cure.
Richmond Botanicals products are now stocked in more than 40 locations across Tasmania.
The brand also supplies luxury accommodation providers including Saffire Freycinet, Pumphouse Point, Piermont Retreat and Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge.
Ellis-Jones said the next step was expanding further into Tasmania’s accommodation market rather than chasing mainland growth.
