An Accessible Night of Candles, Laughter, and Unexpected Connections at Unplug Soy Candles

As we stepped into the store, we were met with an open, beautifully arranged space filled with cheerful staff members dressed in adorable pink sweatshirts. The atmosphere was inviting but also a little overwhelming since we weren’t sure where to begin. While waiting for our friends to arrive, we stood chatting, trying to figure out the next steps.

That’s when one of the workers approached us and started explaining what to do. We quickly realized communication would be a challenge, so we pulled out a speech-to-text app on our phone. It worked well enough, but then came a wonderful surprise—one of the staff members, Mackenzie, was currently taking American Sign Language (ASL) at Fishers High School with a Deaf instructor, Angela Vogler!

Naturally, we gravitated toward Mackenzie, knowing she would make the experience smoother for us. She went above and beyond, ensuring we had a perfectly visible seating arrangement—a high-top table in the corner that comfortably fit our group.

As if the night wasn’t already turning into something special, we ended up meeting a fellow customer who is currently majoring in interpreting at IUPUI! She was just as excited to meet us as we were to meet her, and our conversations made the evening feel even more welcoming and inclusive.

And then, to top it all off, one of our group members ran into their own neighbor at the event! What are the chances? This space truly brought warmth to our own community, reminding us how beautifully small and connected the world can be.

The setup was a dream! A huge selection of vases, an endless variety of scents, and a lively, buzzing crowd. We spent time sniffing different fragrance oils, laughing as we debated our favorites. As the night went on, the venue filled up, becoming increasingly loud and packed.

This led to some hilarious moments—since we couldn’t hear people asking us to move, they resorted to dramatically waving their arms or sticking their faces right in front of ours to get our attention. Some even tried yelling (as if that would magically make us hear them). It was a comedy show in itself!

Mackenzie was an absolute rockstar, guiding us through the process in ASL while patiently navigating our many side conversations. She walked us through each step:

1. Filling out a cute little form with our name, scent choices, and candle details.
2. Labeling our vases to remember which scent we picked.
3. Placing the wicks, ensuring they were secure at the bottom of the vase.
4. Pouring the wax—a two-step process with a mix of wax and scent oil.
5. Stirring and securing the wicks so they stayed upright while drying.

The whole experience felt like a fun mix of creativity and relaxation—with Mackenzie making it extra special by signing with us the entire time!

Unplugged Soy Candles isn’t just about candles—it’s a hidden gem full of cute, quirky finds. While waiting for our candles to set, we wandered through the store, discovering adorable home décor, unique gifts, and fun little trinkets we never knew we needed.

They also had an amazing spread of finger foods and drinks, making it easy to grab a snack while catching up with friends. We ended the night in the back of the store, sipping on drinks, sharing stories, and soaking in the warmth of the experience.

This event turned out to be so much more than just candle-making—it was a night of connection, laughter, and inclusivity. Mackenzie’s willingness to sign with us made all the difference, turning what could have been a challenging experience into a seamless, enjoyable one.

And meeting a future interpreter along with a friendly neighbor just made the night even sweeter. This space truly fosters community, warmth, and unexpected friendships.

So, a huge thank you to Unplugged Soy Candles—not just for the amazing experience but for having someone like Mackenzie on your team. We’ll definitely be back!