The Candle Pour Expands to Sarasota

New location brings custom candle-making experience to downtown Sarasota

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:03am

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The Candle Pour, a custom candle-making business founded in Tampa in 2019, has opened a new location in downtown Sarasota. The new store allows customers to sample nearly 100 different fragrances and create personalized candles with the help of in-store specialists.

Why it matters

The Candle Pour's expansion to Sarasota brings a unique, hands-on experience to the community, providing a space for people to step away from everyday life and create something special. The business aims to be part of customers' meaningful moments and memories.

The details

Misty and Dennis Akers opened the first Candle Pour location in Tampa in 2019, envisioning a space where people could have a custom candle-making experience. The new Sarasota store, which opened in October, marks the introduction of this concept to the Sarasota community. Customers begin by sampling fragrances and then work with in-store specialists to blend their favorite scents and pour their personalized candles.

  • The Candle Pour opened its first location in Tampa in 2019.
  • The new Sarasota location opened in October 2026.

The players

Misty Akers

Co-founder of The Candle Pour, who grew up visiting Sarasota and is excited to bring the custom candle-making experience to the community.

Dennis Akers

Co-founder of The Candle Pour, who partnered with his wife Misty to create the custom candle-making business.

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What they’re saying

“We just loved the concept of creating something that was bringing people together. Today, there's so much opportunity for people to shop online and skip the personal relationships and experiences that you can have in person.”

— Misty Akers, Co-founder, The Candle Pour

“When we opened, we thought it could be a good business idea that people are interested in visiting, but it goes so much deeper than that. Our customers are celebrating some of the most special occasions in their lives, and they choose us to be a part of it. I never anticipated how meaningful it would be.”

— Misty Akers, Co-founder, The Candle Pour

What’s next

The Candle Pour plans to continue welcoming more members of the Sarasota community to the new downtown location and sharing the unique candle-making experience with new visitors.

The takeaway

The Candle Pour's expansion to Sarasota brings a personalized, hands-on experience to the community, providing a space for people to create something special and be part of meaningful moments. The business aims to foster personal connections and relationships in an increasingly digital world.