From LH Mercantile to LH Candle Co.: A New Chapter Begins in 2026
January 11th, 2026 marks an exciting new chapter for my business as LH Mercantile officially becomes LH Candle Co. This change reflects years of growth, refinement, and a deep commitment to creating high-quality, hand-poured candles and home fragrance. My name is Lucas Hill, and I am the founder and maker behind LH Candle Co., a modern candle company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in luxury candles, wax melts, and premium home fragrance.
If you are searching for hand-poured candles in Champaign, IL, or a luxury candle company that focuses on quality, design, and scent performance, you’ve found exactly that here.
Where It All Began
LH Mercantile began in 2022 with a single product, t-shirts. At the time, the brand focused on seasonal, handmade goods inspired by the farmhouse style, a look that was popular and familiar. As the business grew, I continued to explore new product categories, always driven by creativity and the desire to make something meaningful by hand.
Everything changed while preparing for a Christmas craft show in 2023. Using supplies I already had, I decided to make hand-poured wax melts to add to my booth. By the end of the show, every wax melt had sold out. That moment made it clear that home fragrance was not just another product, it was my calling.
Discovering My Passion for Hand-Poured Candles
From that point forward, candles became the heart of the business. I committed myself to learning the craft of candle making, testing wax blends, fragrance oils, and burn performance until every product met my standards. Today, every candle is hand-poured in small batches, carefully tested for quality, and designed to deliver a strong, consistent fragrance throw.
What sets LH Candle Co. apart in a crowded market is intention. These are not mass-produced candles. Each one is poured into upscale, modern vessels, created with non-toxic ingredients, and designed to feel elevated. Never basic. Every detail matters, from scent development to the final aesthetic.
Refining the Brand and Evolving Beyond Farmhouse
By 2024, it became clear that my focus needed to be fully centered on home fragrance. As the brand continued to grow, so did its reach. By 2025, LH Mercantile products were carried in over 70 retail stores across the United States, with additional locations in Canada. With that growth came the opportunity, and the need, to refine the brand.
In 2025, I intentionally began elevating the look and feel of the business. I realized it was time to leave my farmhouse roots behind and embrace a more modern, upscale, and design-forward identity. The candle and home fragrance market had become oversaturated with country and farmhouse styles, and my customers were clearly craving something more refined, unique, and intentional.
Why LH Mercantile Became LH Candle Co.
As the brand evolved, the name needed to reflect that evolution. While I wanted to stay true to LH, the name LH Candle Co. felt like the natural next step. Candles have always been and will continue to be the foundation of the brand, even as wax melts and other home fragrance products remain part of the collection.
The transition to LH Candle Co. represents clarity, focus, and confidence in who we are today: a luxury candle company in Champaign, IL, dedicated to craftsmanship, scent, and elevated design.
What Has Never Changed
While the name and aesthetic have evolved, the core of the brand has remained the same. Every product is still made with the same commitment to quality, the same non-toxic ingredients, and the same attention to scent performance that customers have come to expect.
I once heard a quote that perfectly captures how I create:
“I don’t make products for my customers. I make products for myself.”
If I genuinely love what I create and feel proud to use it in my own home, I know my customers will feel that same connection.
Where LH Candle Co. Is Today — and What’s Next
Today, LH Candle Co. is a modern candle company based in Champaign, Illinois, known for hand-poured luxury candles, small-batch wax melts, and elevated home fragrance. As we step into 2026, the future is brighter than ever.
In the first quarter of 2026, we are excited to introduce one brand-new product, along with a surprise limited collection titled “Small Batch.” This collection will celebrate intentional craftsmanship, limited runs, and the art of small-batch candle making.
Thank You for Four Incredible Years
As we begin 2026, I want to extend my deepest thanks to every customer, retailer, and supporter who has been part of this journey. Because of you, LH Mercantile has grown into LH Candle Co., and this business has thrived for four incredible years.
Your support has made this evolution possible, and I am endlessly grateful. I cannot wait to continue creating fragrances that bring the feeling of home into your space.
Welcome to LH Candle Co. — the next chapter starts now.
Much Love,
Lucas Hill
Founder - LH Candle Co.