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By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

HELENA – Lori Newell knows how to pour a luxury soy candle, but lately, she has spent much of her time crafting a different commodity: hand sanitizer.

Newell, who owns Crave Candles Company in Helena, realized the COVID-19 pandemic had led to a shortage of sanitizer at stores and decided she wanted to create a solution.

“I just noticed that you couldn’t find it,” Newell said. “I thought, ‘We manufacture our candles; I wonder if we can make hand sanitizer.’ I decided this would be a very good thing as people are needing it desperately.”

After about two weeks of research and communicating with others who have experience in making sanitizer, Newell was ready to start producing and bottling her own at the Crave Candles warehouse.

The Crave Candles hand sanitizer contains 80 percent alcohol, glycerin to soften hands and is FDA approved, Newell said.

Newell sells the sanitizer in Unscented and Lavender Eucalyptus scents in 2-ounce, 4-ounce, 8-ounce, 16-ounce and 1-gallon size bottles.

“It’s been very successful,” Newell said. “We’ve already stocked grocery stores and pharmacies, and a kidney dialysis unit has placed several big orders. We have had a ton of orders off our Internet site. We’re so busy.”

Newell said the hand sanitizer has provided a boost for her business at a time when many small business owners are trying to make ends meet financially.

“Our candle business has been down a little bit, but this is a product that’s very needed by every household,” she said. “It’s a win-win.”

To place an online order of Crave Candles hand sanitizer, visit cravecandlesco.com. Orders can be picked up at 34 Metrock Circle in Helena or shipped to the customer’s home.

Bloom and Petal off U.S. 280 and Alabama Goods in Homewood also carry Crave Candles products.