- Luci Smith transformed a pandemic candle-making hobby into Calina’s Cafe, Candles & Collectables at 326 Elm St. in Ludlow.
- A viral TikTok and a passion for sustainability helped inspire a storefront combining handmade candles and inclusive, affordable vintage clothing.
- The shop embraces Ludlow’s artsy spirit, with plans to expand into a café later this summer.
What began as a hobby for Luci Smith during the pandemic has developed into a full-time passion.
Smith, the owner of Calina’s Cafe, Candles, & Collectables at 326 Elm St. in Ludlow, began experimenting with making candles from upcycled containers. She started from scratch and, over time, became confident enough in her craftsmanship to post videos of her candles online. After a single TikTok post about a handmade jelly candle garnered over 4 million views, she realized she had gained significant momentum.
“I completely picked it up during the pandemic,” she said. “I thought, ‘what’s kind of a fun side hustle vibe that I can do?’ I just went out to the store, got a few candle supplies, and I was trying to think of a way to make it eco-friendly.”
These videos laid the groundwork for another burgeoning hobby – vintage clothing. While searching for unique containers for her candles, Smith developed an appreciation for sustainability. After becoming dissatisfied with her corporate job, Smith decided to take a leap of faith, combining her candlemaking and vintage clothing hobbies into a single store: Calina’s Cafe, Candles, & Collectables.
Calina’s is located inside the former Circus Mojo building along Elm Street. Prior to its closure, Smith said the building served as apartments for traveling circus performers who would visit the next-door venue. When designing the interior of her store, Smith wanted to maintain the “homely” vibe to make the space feel welcoming to customers. The store’s interior showcases distinctive displays that double as art, such as a staircase with vintage vinyl records on its risers.
“I wanted to keep the homey feel of it so people could come in and have a welcoming space,” she said. “And also, I wanted to try and tie in some of the cooler aspects of music and history, and make it like an experience, or more than just you like walking in.”
Calina’s offers a carefully curated selection of budget-friendly vintage items, with over 150 pieces from a collection of more than 500 priced at $15 or less. The store prides itselfon inclusive sizing, offering options in both masculine and feminine styles.
For Smith, curating her items is one of the most important aspects of running her store. Smith said she travels across Ohio and Kentucky to find pieces she believes will best fit her collection.
“I do a lot of yard sales, and I try to mix in some estate sales too,” she said. “I try to be really careful with how I source the pieces, because I try to find places I’m going to be able to give back to the local community, and also just get items at a good price, so that it’s accessible for people.”
Smith said Ludlow was an obvious choice for opening because of the city’s eclectic collection of artsy stores and boutiques. Ludlow Mayor Sarah Thompson welcomed the store with open arms.
“Their passion for creativity, upcycling, and vintage style brings something truly special to our community,” she said in a news release.
Besides the vintage store, which opened on Dec. 6, Smith plans to open a cafe on the building’s first floor. If all goes as planned, she plans to open in late summer.
“For me, personally, I think a lot of people will relate to this as well – you want to have a girls’ trip, you go get an iced coffee and walk around the thrift or the antique mall, and it’s just a fun vibe,’ she said.
