DEERFIELD — The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to grant a special permit allowing a local maker of custom scented candles to operate out of the former car dealership at 253 Greenfield Road.
Aromatic Fillers is interested in using the space for a new client showroom, design and development of new products, testing and light manufacturing of scented products that include candles, reed diffusers, hand soaps and sanitizers. ZBA Chair Bernie Sadoski said Deerfield’s legal counsel will draft a list of conditions ahead of the next meeting, which is scheduled for Jan. 14.
At the Dec. 10 meeting, held remotely via the online conferencing platform Zoom, Sadoski and member Adam Sokoloski said Aromatic Fillers would be a great use of the site and its presence will provide economic growth for other area businesses, such as gas stations and eateries. Sokoloski and member Robert Decker III also said the location will provide good jobs.
“Most places are losing businesses. We’re able to gain businesses and that, to me, is a real plus for our community,” Sadoski said, adding that the space used to be a car dealership, which means there will be ample parking.
“I know there are some people that own Volvos and Saabs that are upset that they’re not there anymore, but I think it fits the neighborhood pretty well,” Sadoski said. “It’s been there for a while, so we’re not really changing anything.”
Member Alex Herchenreder mentioned he think the benefits outweigh any potential detriments. He added that he doubts there will be any “Yankee Candle smells,” referring to the odor emitted from the candle-making giant’s facilities.
Aromatic Fillers CEO Todd Green chimed in to say that will not be an issue, due mostly to volume.
“When I was working (at Yankee Candle), I ran the jar department — we would run 120,000 candles a day. We’re talking about less than 1,000 (at 253 Greenfield Road), potentially,” he said, adding that his more modern machinery will also play a factor. “We use a little bit newer technology called Coogar fillers and they mix on the fly. We don’t have big tanks that have all the ingredients churning and then it’s going into the atmosphere. The ingredients stay separate and they come together at the nozzle when they’re dispensed.
“It contains the odor and keeps it … from churning out into the atmosphere. It’s about 10-year-old technology,” he said. “I don’t have anything negative to say about Yankee Candle … but they’re too big of a cruise ship to change to the new style. They have a lot of money invested in the method that they use.”
Aromatic Fillers is a contract manufacturer. Nothing will be sold from this new location, which will replace two small rental spaces the business has in Greenfield.
Green also said he plans to illuminate the property’s handicapped parking spaces. When asked about signs, he said there are two existing signs on the north side. He is keeping the signs but replacing the fascia with a company logo and the logo of the National Candle Association, of which Aromatic Fillers is a member.
“We’re considerate of our neighbors. We’ll try to improve the property. There shouldn’t be anything detrimental happening there,” he said.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Green attended Kansas State University and has been in the candle industry since 1991, when he started at Yankee Candle. He also has worked for Village Candle in Maine, Alene Candles in New Hampshire, Pacific Trade International/Chesapeake Bay Candle, and Kringle Candle Co. in Bernardston. The LinkedIn profile states he has been CEO of Aromatic Fillers since October 2014.