Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Caldwell.
Hi Erin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m currently the General Manager at Candlefish Charleston. This is the history of our super cool company! Rewined Candles and Candlefish were founded by Adam Fetsch in 2009 while he was working at a restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. After noticing how many wine bottles were being discarded, Adam had the idea to give them new life—by turning them into candles. What started as a small project in his garage, selling handmade candles to friends and family, quickly grew in popularity.
By 2014, Rewined had taken off, and Adam and his wife, Jill, opened the first Candlefish shop at 71 Wentworth Street in downtown Charleston. Today, all Rewined and Candlefish candles are still handmade, poured, and labeled in Charleston, SC. The brand has since expanded to more than 2,500 retail locations worldwide, offering a wide range of fragrances inspired by wine.
Rewined Candles are crafted with 100% premium soy wax and cotton wicks for a clean, long-lasting burn. The company’s success is rooted in its passion for wine and the art of translating varietals and winemaking processes into fragrance.
Candlefish, now with locations in Charleston, South Carolina, and Boston, Massachusetts, serves as both a storefront and workshop dedicated to the joy of scent discovery. Known for its Library of 100 signature, unnamed fragrances, Candlefish invites customers to explore scents by intuition rather than labels.
Filled with candles, accessories, décor, and unique treasures, Candlefish shops are a celebration of fragrance and creativity. The brand also collaborates with local artists to redesign its storefront four times a year and create custom candles—strengthening its deep connection to Charleston’s vibrant art community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Rewined and Candlefish remain proudly small businesses—and like any small business, we’ve faced our share of challenges. Recent tariff changes required us to adjust our sourcing and switch some of our vendors. We also went through a major rebrand, transitioning from our signature repurposed wine bottles to a more durable, elevated glass vessel. It was a big change—one that sparked mixed reactions—but ultimately helped us grow and refine our craft and give customers a better product.
Like many others, we faced tough times during COVID-19, especially at our brick-and-mortar shop. We had to get creative and find new ways to stay connected with our wonderful customers. Even now, we continue to navigate the ups and downs of foot traffic and tourism, which can have a direct impact on our storefront—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.
We’ve also seen many small businesses leave King Street due to rising rent costs, and we feel incredibly grateful to still call it home. Thanks to our loyal and supportive customers who continue to return time and time again, we’re able to keep doing what we love right here in the heart of Charleston.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As General Manager, my role is to ensure the business runs smoothly while finding meaningful ways to connect with our community through local and arts outreach. Each day, I work closely with our team to make sure every person who walks through our doors enjoys the most welcoming and memorable candle experience possible. I started in Food & Bev much like our owner Adam giving me tons of experience working face to face in customer service.
Pricing:
- Candle workshops $60 a person for two candles
- Classic 9oz candle $32
- 2.5oz candles $13
- Rewined 10oz $38
Contact Info:
- Website: https://candlefish.com
- Instagram: shopcandlefish
- Facebook: candlefish
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/candlefish-charleston?osq=Candlefish
