That scent of fresh baked bread may be coming from a new candle shop

When folks take a stroll in downtown Parkville, they sometimes get a whiff of fresh baked goods.

But while the scent may guide them to the nearest bakery, it also may be coming from a new retail store — the Farm House Collection.

The store, at 104 Main St., sells the brand’s soy-based candles, typically stocking about a third of the Jamesport, Mo.-based company’s line of more than 60 different fragrances. Currently, that might include buttered maple syrup and fresh baked bread, as well as its most requested fall fragrances and Christmas candles such as Santa’s Workshop, Snickerdoodle cookie, Cabin Pine, Peppermint Meringue, Wild Currant & Sandalwood and Frosted Flurries (described as having an outdoors, woodsy scent).

Its line of bath and body products includes hand-poured soaps (made from a goat’s milk base), lotions (made with vitamin E and aloe) and shea butters (made with sweet almond and jojoba oil).

It also sells Missouri-made signs with such sayings as “Where the heck is easy street?” and “Our family is a circle of strength and love,” along with Amish-made rugs, linens, Crow Canyon enamelware, jewelry, dip and cheesecake mixes, socks and scarves.

The Bohannon family has long raised corn and soybeans in northwest Missouri, while also working in other businesses, including remodeling. In 2008, they purchased the 7,000-square-foot Farm House Collection. The four buildings — one dating to the 1870s — take up a half block in the heart of Jamesport.

“We see the Farm House as an extension of the family farm, allowing our son, Travis, to come on board, and our daughter, Amanda Riley,” said Linda Bohannon, a partner with her husband, Mike. “It gives us more flexibility. If you need 30 days to put in your crop, you don’t know when those 30 days will be because of the weather.”

The Farm House Collection’s candles were a big draw. Still, the Bohannon family decided it wouldn’t be hard to “take a great product and improve it.” And anyway, how how hard can it be to make candles?

They soon discovered, after spending more than a year testing candles, going through hundreds and then upgrading equipment and testing again.

Now their candles are poured from a soy paraffin blend, then scented with premium-grade fragrance oil, lighted by wicks that are lead free and poured into U.S.-made glass. They are 100 percent guaranteed.

“The fragrance company we use, they do layered fragrances. It is not just one flat note but up to 30 notes — high, medium and low,” said Linda Bohannon. “ People know you by the scent of the candles. We have to make sure the quality is there.”

The Farm House products also are sold in specialty stores, museums and attractions throughout Missouri, Kansas, parts of Iowa and Texas, in their Farm House Collection stores in Jamesport and Hamilton, Mo., as well as online.

This story was originally published November 15, 2016 at 6:04 PM with the headline "That scent of fresh baked bread may be coming from a new candle shop."