302 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840, USA
For residents and visitors alike in the charming coastal city of Newport, Rhode Island, Sea Love | A Candle Bar and Boutique offers a truly unique and engaging experience that extends far beyond a typical home goods store. This vibrant establishment, located right in the heart of Newport, is a destination where creativity, community, and the art of fragrance blending come together to create memorable moments. It’s a perfect spot for those looking to find unique home decor, personalized gifts, or simply to enjoy a fun and interactive activity with friends and family.
Sea Love distinguishes itself by inviting customers to step into a "world of creativity and scent-blending" within a "clean, simple, and inspired candle bar." Here, you’re not just purchasing a product; you’re crafting it. The opportunity to blend different fragrance oils and create your own custom-scented candle or diffuser is a hands-on experience that resonates deeply with visitors. As one delighted customer raved, "My girlfriends and I had a great time making candles and a diffuser with Mia! Blending different scents and creating our own unique candles was such a great experience. The space is beautiful and Mia was an awesome instructor! We will be back!" This sentiment highlights the personalized instruction and enjoyable atmosphere that define the Sea Love experience.
Beyond the captivating candle-making process, Sea Love also features a beautifully curated boutique. This retail space is filled with coastal-inspired home decor and personal care products, embodying the serene and elegant lifestyle associated with Newport and the Rhode Island coastline. It's a place where every item is chosen with intention, reflecting a commitment to quality, sustainability, and supporting U.S. makers and craftspeople. The warm reception from staff, including the owner Kristen, further enhances the appeal, making every visit feel like a special treat. "So lovely, my mom and I came here to have a candle making experience as part of a bday weekend getaway. We chatted with the owner Kristen and had the best time! Highly recommend if you’re in the area looking for something fun and different to do," another customer shared, perfectly illustrating the friendly and welcoming environment you'll discover.
Sea Love | A Candle Bar and Boutique is conveniently situated at 18 Franklin St, Newport, RI 02840, USA. This prime location places it in a bustling and easily accessible area of downtown Newport, a city known for its historic charm, vibrant shops, and culinary scene. Franklin Street is part of the lively downtown core, making Sea Love an ideal stop during a day of exploring Newport's unique offerings.
The boutique's central location ensures it is highly accessible for both those arriving by car and those navigating Newport's walkable streets. While parking in downtown Newport can sometimes require a bit of searching, there are often metered street parking spots and public parking lots within a short walk of Franklin Street. For visitors utilizing public transportation, local bus routes provided by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) likely serve the downtown area, offering convenient access. Being nestled among other local shops, restaurants, and attractions means that Sea Love can easily be incorporated into a leisurely stroll through the city, inviting passersby to step in and discover its unique charm.
Sea Love | A Candle Bar and Boutique offers a blend of interactive experiences and a carefully curated retail selection, providing unique services to its customers:
- Custom Candle Making Experience: This is the flagship service. Customers can choose from over 100 fragrance oils to blend their unique scent, select a vessel (candle jar) of their preference, and then pour their own candle. Certified Scent Stylists guide participants through the entire 30-45 minute process, making it fun and educational.
- Custom Reed Diffuser Making: Similar to candles, guests can also create personalized reed diffusers, allowing them to bring their custom fragrance home in a flameless format.
- Retail Boutique Shopping: Beyond the candle bar, Sea Love features a beautiful boutique. This section offers a carefully curated collection of coastally inspired home decor items, pre-made candles and diffusers, personal care products (like soaps, bath salts, shower steamers), and lifestyle accents. All products emphasize clean ingredients and sustainable practices.
- Guided Scent Exploration: The "Certified Scent Stylists" provide expert guidance, helping customers explore different fragrance families and combinations to create their perfect scent blend, whether for a DIY product or to purchase a pre-made item.
- Private Events & Parties: Sea Love is an ideal venue for private gatherings, such as birthday parties, bachelorette weekends, corporate team-building events, or simply a fun outing with friends. They can accommodate groups for a unique and memorable experience.
- Walk-ins and Reservations: While reservations are recommended, especially for groups, walk-ins are always welcome. Customers can explore the fragrance wall and browse the boutique while waiting for a seat at the candle bar.
- Online Shopping: For those unable to visit in person or who wish to repurchase their favorite scents, Sea Love offers an online store featuring their signature products and collections.
- Candle Cooling and Pickup/Shipping: After pouring, candles require about 2 hours to cool before they are ready for pickup. Customers can pick up their creations later the same day (if poured at least 3 hours before closing) or anytime within two weeks. Shipping services are also available for an additional fee ($12/ea).
Sea Love | A Candle Bar and Boutique distinguishes itself through several unique features that make it a cherished destination in Newport:
- Unique Experiential Retail: This is the primary highlight. Unlike traditional retail, Sea Love offers an immersive, hands-on candle and diffuser making experience. This interactive element, guided by "awesome instructors" and "Certified Scent Stylists," transforms a simple purchase into a creative and memorable activity that ignites the senses and fosters connection.
- Vast Fragrance Library: With over 100 distinct fragrance oils to choose from, customers have an unparalleled opportunity to truly customize their scents. This extensive selection ensures that every individual can create a fragrance that is uniquely "them," catering to diverse preferences from fresh and clean to warm and exotic.
- High-Quality, Sustainable Products: Sea Love is committed to crafting products with premium soy wax (sustainable, renewable, biodegradable), Clean Scents™ infused with essential oils, and lead- & zinc-free cotton wicks. Their entire line is cruelty-free, 100% phthalate-free, dye-free, Prop 65 compliant, and eco-friendly. This dedication to clean and sustainable ingredients resonates strongly with conscious consumers.
- Beautifully Curated Coastal Boutique: The retail space offers more than just candles. It features a carefully selected collection of coastal-inspired home decor, home fragrance products, and personal items that embody the serene and elegant seaside lifestyle, making it an excellent spot for unique gifts or personal indulgences.
- Friendly and Knowledgeable Staff: Customer reviews consistently praise the staff, including owner Kristen and instructors like Mia, for being "excellent," "kind," "awesome," and providing "the best time." Their attentiveness and guidance create a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment for all participants.
- Ideal for Groups and Special Occasions: The interactive nature of the candle bar makes it a perfect activity for "girlfriends," "mom and I" outings, birthday celebrations, bachelorette parties, or simply a "fun and different thing to do" with loved ones, fostering shared memories.
- Central Downtown Newport Location: Its placement on Franklin Street, a vibrant part of Newport, makes it easily accessible and a natural stop for those exploring the city, adding to its convenience and appeal as a local attraction.
While Sea Love | A Candle Bar and Boutique primarily offers an experience and high-quality products at competitive pricing for its unique offerings, there are various ways customers can find value and stay informed about potential special opportunities:
- 10% Off Home Decor Items After Pouring: As noted on their website, after completing a candle or diffuser pouring experience, customers receive "10% off home decor items and gifts in our coastally inspired boutique." This provides a direct incentive to explore and purchase from their retail selection.
- "Luxe Love Club" Subscription: Sea Love offers a subscription service, the "Luxe Love Club," which delivers a curated sensory experience monthly or seasonally. While a paid membership, it often includes exclusive products, early access, or discounted rates on items, providing ongoing value for loyal customers.
- eNewsletter Sign-Up: Customers can stay connected by signing up for their eNewsletter. This is a common way for boutiques to announce new products, special events, and any potential limited-time offers or promotions directly to their subscribers.
- Group Booking Benefits: For parties of 10 or more, an 18% gratuity is added at checkout, whether paying together or separately. While this is an added cost, it also indicates the store is well-equipped and accustomed to handling larger groups, making it easier for event planners to budget.
- Seasonal and Holiday Offerings: As a boutique specializing in home fragrance and decor, Sea Love likely introduces seasonal collections and special gift sets around holidays (e.g., Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Christmas) which, while not always discounted, offer unique and themed products for a limited time.
- Collaborative Events: The boutique may host or participate in collaborative events with other local businesses. These events can sometimes feature special bundles, promotions, or unique products available only during the event.
To discover the most current promotions or upcoming special events, it is highly recommended to visit Sea Love's official website, follow their social media channels (Facebook and Instagram), or inquire directly when visiting the Newport location.
For those ready to embark on their scent-blending journey or explore the beautiful boutique at Sea Love | A Candle Bar and Boutique, here is their contact information:
- Address: 18 Franklin St, Newport, RI 02840, USA
- Phone: (401) 324-5137 (You can also use +1 401-324-5137 for mobile dialing)
- Email: newport@sealove.com
- Website: sealove.com
Sea Love in Newport is open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM. It is advisable to check their website or call ahead for the most up-to-date hours, especially around holidays or for specific booking inquiries. Reservations for candle-making are recommended, especially on weekends or for groups.
For the residents of Newport, Rhode Island, and those throughout the region, Sea Love | A Candle Bar and Boutique is an exceptionally suitable and enriching local destination. Its suitability stems from its blend of unique experiential retail, commitment to quality, and fostering of community connections.
Locals are always on the lookout for distinctive activities and places that offer more than just a transaction. Sea Love perfectly fills this need by providing an interactive and creative candle and diffuser making experience. This isn't just a craft; it's an opportunity for friends, families, or individuals to bond, unwind, and express their creativity by blending custom fragrances. As customers consistently rave about the "great time" and "awesome instructors" like Mia, it's clear this is an activity that creates lasting, positive memories.
Beyond the hands-on fun, the beautifully curated boutique offers a thoughtful selection of coastal-inspired home goods and personal care items. This means locals can find unique gifts or elevate their own living spaces with high-quality, sustainably made products that resonate with Rhode Island's seaside charm. The emphasis on "clean" ingredients and supporting U.S. makers further aligns with local values. Moreover, the genuine warmth and attentiveness of the owners, Kristen and her team, cultivate a welcoming atmosphere that encourages repeat visits and builds a sense of community. For Newport residents seeking a creative outlet, unique home essentials, or a memorable outing with loved ones, Sea Love | A Candle Bar and Boutique truly embodies the spirit of local charm and innovative retail.