Ranger Station is Now Open in 12 South

The Nashville Fragrance House features their entire line of candles and perfumes.

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Locally-owned candle and fragrance company, Ranger Station, has opened a brick-and-mortar location in 12 South.

The newest addition to the ever-growing neighborhood, the storefront features Ranger Station’s entire line of candles and perfumes with a mix of scents from fresh and fruity to notes of wood and smoke. The candles, which are served in reusable cocktail glasses, even come with an artisan cocktail recipe. It’s a unique twist that makes Ranger Station’s wares special. The shop— and its location—are also special for owners Steve and Jordan Soderholm.

“We have lived in Nashville for 14 years and no matter what neighborhood we’re living in, 12 South has been the most consistent in our lives,” says Jordan. “Despite the growth in the area, there is a true neighborhood feel that we love and that keeps drawing us in for dinners, coffees, snacks, and shopping. It’s such a unique area because it captures both locals and visitors. It has been the perfect spot for us to finally meet some of our lifetime customers and also capture those who haven’t heard of us yet.”

Founded in 2015 with the idea of a candle in a reusable cocktail glass, the company hasn’t strayed far from its roots, either.

“Ranger Station allows me to share the experience and memory-making power of fragrance with others. As a former touring musician, I used to make candles to burn when I was hosting friends in my home, and I poured them into cocktail glasses because that was what was on my shelf. That sparked the idea for the cocktail candle,” says Steve. “The name Ranger Station comes from the house I lived in in college. It was the old Green Hills Ranger Station, and it was where all my friends gathered, whether or not I was home. The essence of the company’s value of creating experiences was started in that old Ranger Station.”

Ranger Station has a small but mighty square footprint and is the perfect size for shoppers to experience the brand firsthand. When you step foot inside the store, you are immediately welcomed to a cozy space amplified by warm wood tones, a black and white checkered floor, and stools where you can pull up a seat to chat while taking in the fragrance of the candles. The back wall features more than 150 of them, and if you look closely, you will see the brand’s ranger hat logo. But the actual focal point of the space is the sniffing station in the center of the room. This hands-on approach allows shoppers to smell each candle and perfume in the company catalog so that they can find their perfect scent in person.

Much like their cozy Nashville Fragrance House, Ranger Station’s products are absolutely approachable. Crafted by hand, the stock includes body wash, shampoo, conditioner, hand wash, and hand cream, plus a bath soak. The goods are ingredient-honest: vegan and cruelty-free, paraben- and sulfate-free, and are made with phthalate-free fragrance oils, which are sourced sustainably, worldwide. Hand-mixed unisex perfumes are also available in their most well-loved scents like Santalum, Leather + Pine, and Yippee Ki-Yay. Sizes range from 50-ml to 100-ml, but 10-ml roll-on sets provide a curated selection of their best-selling fragrances so you don’t have to choose.

Ranger Station’s beloved candles have developed a cult-like following. Made with soy-based wax, phthalate-free fragrance oils, and lead-free wicks, the candles are bold and long-lasting. Even once the candle has burned through, the Ranger Station jars still have a purpose. Each candle is poured into a reusable glass and is paired with an artisan cocktail recipe card. So, while you indulge in the rich, floral, or smokey smells of your burning candle, you can sit back and sip with an aptly paired cocktail, too. 

(2905 12th Ave. S., #106; rangerstation.co)

Candles & Cocktails

Looking for the perfect cocktail to serve in your reusable glass once you’ve burned your candle out? Ranger Station suggests these favorites:

GREEN POINT

Leather + Pine Candle Cocktail Pairing (Herbal, pine, spice)

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz rye whiskey
  • 1⁄2 oz green chartreuse
  • 1⁄2 oz sweet vermouth
  • 1 dash angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters

Directions:

  1. Add all elements to a mixing glass and stir on ice until well chilled.
  2. Strain into your Ranger Station glass.
  3. Garnish with a lemon peel.

OLD FASHIONED

Old Fashioned Candle Cocktail Pairing

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz rye whiskey
  • 1 bar spoon sugar
  • Splash of water
  • 3 dashes angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters

Directions:

  1. Place sugar in your Ranger Station glass.
  2. Add bitters and a splash of water.
  3. Muddle to break down sugar.
  4. Add rye whiskey.
  5. Add one large ice cube and stir until chilled.
  6. Garnish with lemon and orange peel.