As consumers increasingly question the ingredients in everyday household items, Fontana Candle Co. is scaling up to meet demand in the natural candle sector—while staying rooted in transparency and simplicity.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Eric and Katie Roering, the Lancaster County-based company began with a personal experience. After burning a conventional candle and feeling unwell, the couple investigated its ingredients. Their research pointed to paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct, and synthetic fragrance blends that can include undisclosed ingredients. Unsatisfied with available alternatives, they began making candles themselves, eventually turning that process into a business. Katie shares, “We assumed there had to be better options, but the market was limited, so Eric started pouring candles himself. That’s how Fontana began.”

Today, Fontana defines “non-toxic” through ingredient clarity rather than marketing claims. Its candles are made from beeswax and coconut oil and scented exclusively with essential oils. The company avoids paraffin and synthetic fragrance, emphasizing full disclosure so customers can make informed decisions.

That approach has resonated with a growing base of health-conscious consumers, particularly since 2020, when interest in wellness and indoor air quality accelerated. The company’s growth has been largely demand-driven, fueled by shifting consumer habits and increased scrutiny of product ingredients across categories.

Katie reflects, “The demand for cleaner options was growing, and we already had a product that aligned with that need. From there, we’ve been able to continue building trust by staying consistent and transparent with our customers.”

Fontana has also leaned into partnerships to expand its reach. Their product collection, Collaboration Candles, was developed with social media influencers and aligned brands and has become one of their most popular offerings. Among them is the Honey Lemonade candle, created with online wellness influencer Shawna Holman, author of A Little Less Toxic. The Roerings and Holman began working together following Holman’s keynote presentation at a wellness event at the Star Barn in 2024. The Honey Lemonade candle blends lemon, vanilla and rosemary.

Other collaborations include Wildflower Honey, developed with Beekeepers Naturals, featuring notes of palmarosa, vanilla, lavender and bergamot; Tropical Chill, created with Healthillie, combining citrus-forward essential oils with vanilla; and Fresh Start, made with Clean Mama, incorporating spearmint, tangerine, basil, vanilla and clove. Katie explains, “We often fly our collaborators in to participate in the formulation process,” reinforcing the company’s emphasis on transparency and hands-on development.

Operationally, the founders’ complementary backgrounds—Eric in finance and procurement on one side, and Katie’s background in marketing and brand-building on the other—have supported steady expansion. That growth is now entering a new phase.

Fontana plans to move from its current 6,500-square-foot facility to a 25,000-square-foot space in Rapho Township this September, a transition expected to significantly increase production capacity. Their team will incorporate some automation, enabling them to produce 1,000 candles per hour. This growth will position Fontana to become the largest all-natural candle manufacturer in the United States.

The September move is part of a social media series, Fontana 2.0, documenting their expansion and operational evolution. The milestone follows another recent achievement: Fontana’s inclusion on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. With their continued growth, Fontana will likely be named to the list again in 2026.

Despite opportunities to relocate closer to larger wellness markets, the company has remained committed to its Pennsylvania roots. The founders say operating outside traditional industry hubs has required more intentional consumer education, ultimately strengthening brand trust.

For Katie, “Success now includes both personal and professional balance, as a growing team allows me to step back from daily operations and focus on long-term strategy. For the business, it means expanding retail partnerships, increasing accessibility through lower costs and continuing to scale without compromising standards.”

As consumer demand for transparency continues to shape the home goods market, Fontana Candle Co. has worked to not only be a participant in that shift, but a leading company aiming to define its future.

For more information, visit FontanaCandleCompany.com. 

Trella Dubetz is a trauma-informed bodyworker, holistic and human design practitioner, graphic designer and writer based in Lancaster and Huntingdon counties. She blends creativity with healing practices to support personal transformation. Connect with her at TrellaDubetz.com.