Lakelands Trade Company adds a local spin to downtown Laurens | News

Alyssa and Jason Kirk founded Lakelands Trade Company, a 100%-online store, about 18 months ago. Their website had enough success for the Kirks to open their first storefront over Mother’s Day in Laurens South Carolina, Jason Kirk’s native town. 

Jason Kirk is proud of his hometown. The name of the company, Lakelands, represents Laurens, Greenwood and Abbeville. Jason Kirk’s appreciation of his hometown was furthered by opening the storefront. 

“We are looking to cater (our store) to local communities. We’re part of the community. Jason Kirk said, “I grew up and live in Laurens County. We just wanted to give the shops on the square a new spin. The square already has some fantastic stores, but this adds something fresh and exciting. 

The store is currently focused on locally produced soy wax candles, as well as t-shirts designed with special designs. The store also carries a wide range of outsourced gift shop merchandise.

CandleScience Fragrance oils are added to their 100% soy based candles. Jason Kirk says that the formula allows the candles to burn up to four times longer than those purchased in stores. Each candle is hand-poured by Laurens, SC.

Prices begin at $16.50 per 7 oz. Candles start at $16.50 for a 7 oz. candle, and can go up to $20.00 for the luxury line. Each candle has ceramic tumblers with more fragrance oils. The store will release its fall collection of candles on September 1. Customers can choose between seven and eight new scents.

Jason Kirk creates sketches for the company’s T-shirts.

All of the tee shirts are designed with outdoor themes in mind, like fishing and hunting. Jason Kirk explained that some of the ladies’ t-shirts have a small-town, country feel. “We have patriotic tee shirts. Our most popular one is a design that shows our daughter and son saluting an American and South Carolina flags over a country.” 

Direct-To Film, or DTF, is the best method of printing on handmade tee shirts. Jason Kirk claims that the DTF prints are proven to last 60-80 washes. 

Currently, the store has limited hours as Jason Kirk and Alyssa Kir are its only employees. The store is open from Thursday 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, Friday 10:30 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.

The Kirks will wait to see what the candle-selling period, which usually starts in September, means for their business before deciding whether to hire more employees or expand their working hours in November or October of this year.