AURA Candle Bar | Press Features, Awards & Media Recognition

Updated: March 2026

AURA Candle Bar has been recognized by media outlets, community organizations, and industry leaders for creating one of Chicago's most distinctive fragrance and candle-making experiences. From television features to conservation partnerships, AURA's story continues to resonate across Chicago and beyond.

John Waldmann, CEO of Homebase Human Resources states , “AURA Candle Bar leads with what matters to their professional collection of Scent Consultants: trust, clear communication, exceptional training and development, and a workplace that is beautiful, creative, and allows each person to shine while providing an elevated experience for their guests.”

Television & Broadcast Media

WGN-TV Chicago — June 2024 Picking the Perfect Personal Scented Candle at Aura Candles WGN's Weekend Morning News featured AURA Candle Bar in a multi-segment Sunday morning in-studio feature, exploring the custom candle-making and fragrance experience on Chicago's Southport Corridor. Co-founders Tom and Linda Pendrey, Studio Managers Kristen Pendrey and Aleesha Vaughn and the AURA team walked WGN's audience through the guided scent journey process and the art of creating a truly personal candle. WGN identified AURA Candle Bar as one of the top Things To Do In Chicago. Watch the Feature → Watch Additional Segments →

"It's truly beyond candle making. This is an experience." — Tom Pendrey, Co-Founder, as featured on WGN-TV Chicago Weekend Morning News

Awards and Recognition

Yelp People Love Us Award (2021–2025)
Top Local Workplace — Homebase HR (2024, 2025)
Highest Rated Candle-Making Experience — Google & Yelp
Graphic Design USA Branding of the Year
Grasse Institute of Perfumery trained staff
YELP People Love Us - YELP “People Love Us” Award (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
AURA Candle Bar has been honored with Yelp’s “People Love Us” Award for five consecutive years, a distinction given to businesses with exceptional guest satisfaction and consistently outstanding reviews. This recognition reflects the high‑quality, immersive experience our guests enjoy year after year.

Home Base HR - Top Local Workplace Award (2024 and 2025)
For the second year in a row, AURA Candle Bar has been recognized as one of the nation’s Top Local Workplaces, standing out among more than 150,000 businesses nationwide. John Waldmann, CEO of Homebase Human Resources states , “AURA Candle Bar leads with what matters to their professional collection of Scent Consultants: trust, clear communication, exceptional training and development, and a workplace that is beautiful, creative, and allows each person to shine while providing an elevated experience for our guests.”

Editorial Features & Reviews

Bodnar Design — Brand Identity Case Study Chicago-based creative firm Bodnar Design featured AURA Candle Bar as a signature brand identity project, documenting the creative strategy, naming, visual identity, packaging, and environmental design that brought AURA's vision to life from an empty retail space to one of Chicago's most distinctive experiential destinations. Leading to Branding of the Year Award from Graphic Design USA Read the Case Study →

Alexandra Rovetto — Lifestyle Feature Chicago lifestyle blogger Alexandra Rovetto visited AURA Candle Bar and documented the full experience for her readers, calling it "the most fun date night experience in Chicago" and praising the creativity, atmosphere, and guidance of the AURA team. Read the Review →

The Local, Chicago‑based video series that spotlights standout neighborhood businesses, culture, and lifestyle experiences. A behind the scenes look and why is a top Chicago destination and how the founders created the business. Watch the spotlight

Enjoy Illinois — Illinois Bureau of Tourism "Galantine's Day in the Prairie State" The official tourism website of Illinois featured AURA Candle Bar as a top recommended destination for travelers and special date experiences, recognizing AURA among the state's premier experiential attractions. Read the Recommendation

Macaroni KID Chicago Northside AURA Candle Bar: Chicago's Premier Fragrance Experience Macaroni KID Chicago Northside featured AURA Candle Bar as a top destination for families, date nights, and group experiences in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. The feature highlighted AURA's immersive scent journey, the expertise of its Grasse Institute-trained Scent Consultants, and the Gift-of-Scent experience as one of the most thoughtful gifts in the city. Read the Feature →

Community and Cause Partnerships

Elliott Donnelley Trout Unlimited — Candles for a Cause AURA Candle Bar is a proud supporter of the Elliott Donnelley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Chicago's own chapter of the national cold water conservation organization. Through AURA's Candles for a Cause program, a portion of designated candle sales supports EDTU's mission to protect and restore rivers and streams across the Midwest so future generations can experience the joy of wild and native trout. AURA is honored to be listed among EDTU's official supporters. Visit Elliott Donnelley Trout Unlimited →

Brand Partners

AURA Candle Bar has created custom fragrance experiences and signature scents for some of the world's most recognized brands including Nike, Netflix, Belmond Hotels, Google, Instagram, Compass, @Properties, Marriott, Reddit, Pinterest, Pallete Media, Hard Rock Hotels and many more.

Fragrance Expertise & Editorial Content

AURA co-founders Tom and Linda Pendrey author AURA's fragrance trend editorial series, drawing on hands-on experience with over 110 curated fragrance oils and the expertise developed through their Grasse Institute training. AURA's 2026 Top Ten Fragrance Trends series has been cited alongside industry voices from dsm-firmenich, Who What Wear, Marie Claire, Beauty Independent, and New Beauty. Explore AURA's Fragrance Trend Series →

Press Inquiries

Are you a journalist, blogger, or content creator interested in featuring AURA Candle Bar? We welcome media inquiries and are happy to arrange studio visits, interviews, and photography opportunities.

Contact us at: info@auracandlebar.com Located at: 3338 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657 Studio Hours: Tuesday–Wednesday 12–7PM | Thursday–Friday 12–8PM | Saturday 11AM–8PM | Sunday 12–5PM

Ready to experience what everyone is talking about? Book Your Candle-Making Experience →