Wisevoter
Irvine

Voluspa Expanded Retail Presence and Fender Partnership

The Orange County candle maker has launched a new collaboration and grown its physical retail footprint in California.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Minimalist glass candle vessels containing coconut wax on a wooden workbench in a bright, modern production workshop.
Voluspa has expanded its retail presence in California with new mall locations and launched a strategic partnership with Fender as revenue continues to climb. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you prefer to shop for lifestyle products in physical stores rather than online?

Voluspa has increased its commitment to brick-and-mortar retail by opening locations at Fashion Island, Brea Mall, and the Irvine Spectrum Center. The company also recently launched a brand collaboration with Fender on September 17, 2026.

Why it matters

The company invests in physical storefronts to foster deeper connections with its customer base and drive brand innovation. Maintaining manufacturing in Irvine ensures the brand retains strict quality oversight over its proprietary coconut wax products.

Voluspa maintains 160 employees at its 84,800-square-foot Irvine facility. The company's products are currently distributed in 5,000 global retail locations.

The players

Troy Arntsen

He is the founder who established the candle manufacturing company in 1999.

Fender

This iconic manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers recently partnered with the candle brand for a collaboration.

Universal Pictures

This major film studio previously partnered with the company in 2024 for a fragrance collection tied to the Wicked franchise.

The details

Founded by Troy Arntsen, the company produces candles using a proprietary coconut wax blend and a combination of specialized machinery and human labor. Following growth that saw revenue rise nearly 60% in five years, the brand is now testing an automated conveyor system for manufacturing.

Timeline

  1. Troy Arntsen founded the company in 1999.

  2. The firm moved to its current Irvine facility in 2011.

  3. A retail store opened at Fashion Island in 2019.

  4. A location at the Irvine Spectrum Center opened in July 2026.

  5. The Fender brand collaboration launched on September 17, 2026.

Market Landscape

This story follows the documented shift toward direct-to-consumer experiential retail by bringing manufacturing-focused brands into physical shopping centers. By opening its own storefronts, Voluspa moves to capture higher margins and gain direct data on consumer preferences.

Local shoppers at the Irvine Spectrum Center, Fashion Island, and Brea Mall now have direct access to the brand's full product range, including items priced from $15 to $275. These stores provide a hands-on environment for customers to sample new scent collections before purchasing.

The takeaway

The company's expansion highlights the enduring value of physical retail for premium home fragrance brands. By controlling the entire lifecycle from wax pouring to retail display, the brand maintains tight quality control while scaling its market presence.

Further reading

For more information on retail trends, visit the Openings & Closings section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Orange County Business Journal.

Live Poll

Do you prefer to shop for lifestyle products in physical stores rather than online?