CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — In the heart of downtown Chillicothe, one local business offers much more than candles and fragrances. From a historic building with a rumored ghost to a beloved shop cat who inspired an entirely new business, Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics has become a unique part of the downtown community.
Located at 72 North Paint Street, Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics combines candle making, aromatherapy, local history, and even true crime storytelling.
In an interview with Hopewell Heritage Headlines, Jessie, the woman behind Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics, shared the fascinating stories surrounding her business, its history, and the experiences that make it stand out.
A Historic Building With a Ghostly Reputation
Long before the building became home to Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics, it housed Herrnstein Hardware, operated by Albert E. Herrnstein.
Herrnstein had an interesting history of his own. Before entering the hardware business, he played football for the University of Michigan, participated in the first Rose Bowl, and later coached football at Ohio State.
However, according to local ghost stories, Herrnstein may have never completely left the building.
Jessie explained that employees have occasionally witnessed what appear to be shadows moving through the back of the shop.
The stories became even more intriguing following a visit from a paranormal investigator who reportedly saw a man wearing a black hat. When later shown a photograph of Herrnstein, the investigator identified him as the person she believed she had seen.
While the experiences remain unexplained, they have become part of the building’s local folklore.
The business embraced that history during this year’s downtown Ghost Walk, creating two exclusive candles inspired by Herrnstein, appropriately named The Shopkeeper and The Watchman. Both candles featured his image on their labels.
Jessie said the Ghost Walk provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience downtown Chillicothe differently while learning about the people and businesses that helped shape its history.
“There’s something pretty special about being part of the next chapter of this building’s history while still celebrating the people who came before us,” Jessie said.
She added a humorous thought about the building’s rumored longtime resident.
“And if Albert really is still keeping an eye on things from the back of the shop, I hope he likes what we’ve done with the place!”
More Than 60 Fall Fragrances
With Halloween approaching, Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics has embraced the fall season with an extensive collection of seasonal fragrances.
According to Jessie, the shop currently carries more than 60 fall scents, offering everything from traditional autumn fragrances to unusual Halloween-inspired creations.
Among the seasonal favorites are Fall Festival, White Pumpkin Maple Crunch, Nutty Pumpkin Pancake, and Vampire Blood.
One particularly popular fragrance is Witches Brew, the shop’s October Candle of the Month.
The candle is discounted by $5 throughout October and has already sold out twice this season.
Jessie explained that one of her favorite parts of operating the business is watching customers explore the fragrances, often discovering something completely different from what they originally intended to purchase.
With more than 300 fragrances available throughout the shop, customers have plenty of opportunities to experiment.
From Criminal Justice to Candles & Crime
One of the more unexpected aspects of Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics is Jessie’s background.
Before becoming an aromatherapist and opening the business, she spent approximately 20 years working in social services and criminal justice.
Although her career eventually took a different direction, her interest in true crime never disappeared.
That interest eventually led to the creation of Candles & Crime with Jessie, a podcast that combines true crime storytelling with candle making.
The concept allows Jessie to revisit her longtime interest in criminal cases while sharing the candle-making process with viewers.
The podcast is still relatively new, with only a couple of episodes published so far and several additional episodes currently being edited.
One episode Jessie recommends focuses on Nancy Crampton Brophy, a romance novelist who wrote an essay titled How to Murder Your Husband and was later convicted of murdering her husband.
The podcast is available on Spotify and YouTube, with additional episodes expected in the coming weeks.
Meet Maggie, the Cat Who Became the Face of the Business
Perhaps the most beloved member of Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics is Maggie herself, a shop cat with an unusual story.
Despite sharing the business’s name, Maggie was not actually the inspiration behind its original name.
Jessie explained that the name Maggie’s Farm came from the Bob Dylan song of the same name. She and her husband had once joked about retiring to a small hobby farm called Maggie’s Farm.
When Jessie began selling homemade products through Etsy and other platforms, she decided to use the name.
Then, approximately one month after opening the storefront, an unexpected visitor arrived.
According to Jessie, a group of out-of-town visitors was walking through a downtown park when a tiny kitten fell from a tree onto them.
Unable to keep the kitten, the visitors began searching for someone who could help. Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics happened to be one of the few businesses open at the time.
The kitten was brought inside, and the rest became history.
The shop adopted her and named her Maggie, a fitting coincidence considering the business’s existing name.
Five years later, Maggie remains a familiar face inside the store.
Jessie described her as healthy, occasionally grumpy, and very much in charge.
Customers may find Maggie wandering the sales floor, greeting visitors, or sleeping in the back of the shop. When she has had enough attention, she retreats to her own room for some peace and quiet.
Jessie joked that Maggie may actually attract more visitors than the products themselves.
“She’s definitely the boss around here, and she knows it!”
How One Picky Cat Inspired Another Business
Maggie’s influence eventually extended beyond the candle shop.
According to Jessie, the cat has always been extremely selective about treats, particularly store-bought varieties.
That pickiness inspired the family to begin making their own pet treats, eventually developing into an entirely separate business known as The FurFolk BakeHouse.
Located in the back of Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics, the pet bakery recently celebrated its first anniversary.
Jessie said the business is now approved by the Ohio Department of Agriculture to manufacture pet treats.
What began as an effort to satisfy one particular cat has grown into another business venture in downtown Chillicothe.
Customers Can Make Their Own Candles
Beyond purchasing candles and fragrances, visitors to Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics can participate in a hands-on candle-making experience.
The shop offers a pour-your-own candle activity that allows customers to select fragrances, experiment with scent combinations, and create personalized candles.
With more than 300 fragrances available, visitors can choose a familiar favorite or blend something entirely new.
Staff members guide participants through the process, including fragrance selection and pouring, making the experience accessible even to those who have never made a candle before.
The price includes the container, wax, fragrance, and necessary supplies.
Jessie recommends the experience for friends, families, couples, or anyone looking for something different to do while visiting downtown Chillicothe.
The business also offers personalized aromatherapy consultations focused on essential oils, safe usage, and incorporating aromatherapy into everyday wellness routines.
For those interested in learning more, Jessie is also the founder of the Institute of Aromatic Arts, which provides aromatherapy education for personal enrichment and individuals interested in pursuing careers in the field.
A Business Rooted in Downtown Chillicothe
For Jessie, Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics represents more than a retail business.
Between preserving the stories of a historic building, creating seasonal products, offering interactive experiences, and building relationships with customers, the shop has become part of the ongoing story of downtown Chillicothe.
Its connection to local history was especially evident during the Ghost Walk, when visitors had the opportunity to explore the building and learn about its former occupants.
Jessie said she appreciates events that encourage people to visit downtown businesses and discover the history surrounding them.
“We’re proud to be part of this downtown community and love seeing people discover everything it has to offer,” she said.
From the legend of Albert Herrnstein to the adventures of Maggie the shop cat, Maggie’s Farm & Aromatics continues to blend history, creativity, and a little mystery at 72 North Paint Street.
And whether visitors come for a Halloween candle, a hands-on experience, or simply to meet Maggie, they may leave with a story of their own.
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