Nestled inside Southridge Mall, Madison Lunde runs the new Operation Wax candle store – a business rooted in passion and necessity.
Lunde said the business evolved due to her husband’s respiratory sensitivities, which made it difficult for him to use items in traditional stores like Bath & Body Works due to the chemicals used in many products.
“We wanted to start making our own that were more mindful. We knew what was going into them,” Lunde said.
At the time, Lunde was volunteering at a food pantry in Waukesha and began selling candles on the side to raise extra money to donate. However, the couple began considering a storefront after it grew into a steady business, thanks to craft fairs, online sales through platforms like Etsy and local markets such as Brookfield Indoor Farmers Market.
The opportunity came when a vacancy opened at the Greendale mall, 5300 S. 76th St.
“We thought, why not try to slide in there and see if there’s a vacancy for us? So here we are,” Lunde said.
The store officially opened in March 2026, according to the Operation Wax website. Lunde runs the store along with her husband and occasionally their daughter.
A hands-on candle experience
Operation Wax provides an immersive experience where customers can shop or create their own candles from scratch.
Guests can choose from a variety of fragrances, including redwood cedar, bergamot and more unique options such as pink guava and baby powder, along with other custom blends.
After selecting a scent, customers mix the fragrance with wax before allowing the candle to set for about an hour. Lunde said the process gives visitors time to explore the mall and support other businesses.
While some view the mall as past its peak, Lunde said she sees something different.
“I spent a lot of time in the mall, meeting people and introducing myself to other business owners, and it just felt like a really good community to integrate into,” she said.
She said she believes there is still energy within the space and an opportunity to bring shoppers back.
“I really do think that we’re going to see a shift in the way people are shopping,” Lunde said. “People are starting to come out, getting people off of their phones, getting people in person to talk to people.”
Lunde said the hands-on nature of the store makes it a natural fit for a mall environment.
“After you pour the candle, you have an hour to kill before you come back and pick it up. There’s plenty to do here,” she said.
Ultimately, Lunde said she hopes Operation Wax becomes a place for connection and self-care.
“We just want to be a place where people can come and get some relaxation … bring your loved ones to come and sit down and make a candle,” she said. “Memory and scent go hand in hand, it really is a special connection.”
Operation Wax is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information on Operation Wax, visit operationwax.com.
Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New candle shop brings hands-on experience to Southridge Mall
Reporting by Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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