ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Two new businesses have set up shop inside the Delta Plaza Mall.
When Chris Jahnke and his wife learned their son has eczema, they set out to make a special soap for him.
“We actually went the all-natural route because everything out there nowadays has chemicals, and we noticed that the soaps weren’t really doing it for him,” Jahnke explained. “We started messing around, and we made our first soap, and it worked. We kept going, and then in February, we started selling our soap.”
That business became Charlie Charlie Soap Co. In addition to soaps, Jahnke also sells whipped body butters, sugar scrubs, bath bombs, and even fragrances.
“We are focusing more on high-quality dupes, so you don’t want to be paying $300 – $400 for a thing of cologne,” he said. “We also have our men’s line starting up, so I’m really excited. I make everything, so if there’s anything anyone ever wants, just let me know!”
Charlie Charlie Soap Co. shares its space at the mall with Evermore. Permanent Jewelry by Gabrielle Cheeney.
“I got out of the Air Force about three years ago,” Cheeney said. “When I got out, I kind of still didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life or my career. I actually had a really good mentor when I was in that started doing permanent jewelry. I knew I wanted to be my own boss, so I talked to her, and here I am.”
As permanent jewelry grows in popularity, Cheeney says some people are still learning what it is.
“First of all, permanent jewelry is not scary,” she said with a smile. “It’s a quick zap weld to a jump ring, so it’s not going in your skin. It’s not hurting you at all. It’s all on the jewelry itself. It’s now on you without a clasp, so you’re able to wear it through your life. It’s one with you at that point. You can do all your normal activities. My clients honestly range from 1 year old to 100 years old, so it’s really something for everybody.”
According to Jahnke and Cheeney, their partnership makes their businesses stronger.
“We started doing pop-ups first,” said Jahnke. “While her customers were waiting to see her, they would come over to me and they would smell it. We just kind of distracted her customers at first, and now we’re this synergized unit, and I love it. I couldn’t have had a better person with me on this journey.”
They are both excited to revitalize their long-unused space in the Delta Plaza Mall.
“I grew up here—born and raised in Escanaba—so being a part of the mall and bringing back the life is huge for me,” Cheeney said. “I’ve been talking to my family members and just remembering how it used to be. I can’t wait until we get to that point again, because it will get to that point. We just need people to help, whether that’s just walking in and saying hi or supporting the small businesses.”
Charlie Charlie Soap Co. is open during mall hours of operation—from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Evermore. Permanent Jewelry by Gabrielle takes clients by appointment, and appointments can be made by clicking here.
