Meet Kylie Antolini, avid trail runner and founder of Wildwood Candle Co., the hyper-local candle line inspired by Portland’s lush forest trails.
At New Seasons, we know what happens when passions converge. We took our love for good food and community and started a grocery store. And our longtime partner, Kylie Antolini, took her love of running and nature preservation to create something uniquely beautiful: Wildwood Candle Co.
Inspired by the lush, rugged terrain of the Wildwood Trail in Portland's Forest Park—Kylie's running grounds—Wildwood hand-poured candles bring the essence of nature home, with scents that range from crushed fir needles to damp soil and distant woodsmoke. A portion of profits goes back to the Forest Park Conservancy to help protect the very trails that inspired them.
We caught up with Kylie to find out more about her passions and processes.
NSM: What is your mission?
KA: Our mission is to help people stay connected to nature. Wildwood exists to bring that feeling home—to encourage small rituals and moments of slowing down. Lighting a candle can be simple, but it can also be grounding.
NSM: What are you most proud of?
KA: I’m proud to have created something truly unique: a line of trail-inspired candles designed for scent-sensitive noses. The business has been fully bootstrapped and grown carefully and sustainably, without cutting corners. And eight years later, we still hand-pour every candle. We also donate 5% of profits to the Forest Park Conservancy and have given more than $10,000 to date.
NSM: What’s unique about Wildwood?
KA: The brand is hyper-local and rooted in Portland’s landscape. The scents are more grounded and natural—not overly sweet or perfumy—and thoughtfully designed for people who are sensitive to fragrance.
We also use wood wicks, which crackle as they burn, adding a nature-inspired element to the experience. The wicks also contribute to reforestation efforts, which aligns with our commitment to giving back to the trails that inspire everything we create.
NSM: What's it like partnering with New Seasons?
KA: It’s been a partnership rooted in shared values: community, craft, and celebrating what makes Portland special. For years, I’d walk through New Seasons and think, “Wildwood belongs here.” Then in 2022, after moving from my basement into a 1,000-square-foot commercial space, I finally applied—and we've been partners ever since.
New Seasons has played a major role in our growth. Being stocked in the stores I personally shop at, alongside other thoughtful, local brands, is something I don’t take lightly. The visibility and support have helped Wildwood reach customers who might never step into a boutique candle store but discover us while picking up groceries for the week.
Next time you’re at New Seasons, follow your nose to the home goods department for a Wildwood candle—including New Seasons food-inspired exclusives like Rosemary Focaccia, Cardamom Hazelnut Pear, and Heirloom Tomato Basil.