More than Your Average Bar of Soap
LANCASTER, ONT.
613-930-0468
(by appointment only)
Located just off highway 34 in Lancaster, Ont. the Soap Shop offers something for everyone.
From natural soaps to novelty soaps, the family team of Linda Gaurvreau, her sister Lucy Raymond, and Linda’s daughter Susan Bourck sell handmade soaps, face creams, bath bombs, lotions and essential oils out of a modern green barn located in the Lancaster countryside.
“Some of our soaps are mistaken for actual baked goods,” Susan Bourck said.
Taking the form of cupcakes and cakes, this mistaken identity goes to show the attention to detail and skill that goes into the soaps that are created by Bourck.
However, it’s not just soaps disguised as baked goods that Bourck creates. She creates soaps that are sports related, soaps in the shape of construction tools, soaps with toys in them, and more functional soaps that contain natural products for everyday use.
“It’s not just women who come through,” Bourck said. “We have men that are interested in the beer glass shaped soaps and children who are interested in the soaps with toys in them.”
Bourck also prides herself on the natural soaps that are sold at the Soap Shop. With the rise in allergies seen in people, she says it’s important to offer natural options for customers.
All together, the soaps can take anywhere from a couple days to six weeks to be made, which is impressive since Bourck works two other jobs.
“I have my day job then work on soaps at night,” she said.
But none of this is a concern to Bourke because it is always something she has been interested in.
During childhood she remembers growing and picking herbs with her mother, a certified herbalist, which is where she gets her passion for delivering natural products to consumers.
“My mom has always been making and selling natural face creams and lotions and I thought ‘why not soap?’” Bourke explained.
For Bourck and Gaurvreau it’s about more than simply making and selling soap. A large part of their job at the Soap Shop involves educating customers about the healing powers of natural products and finding the right soap for them.
“People are now becoming more health conscious and really looking into what they put on their body,” Gaurvreau said.
The ladies said they want to create a dialog and understanding about natural products and their benefits, and are eager to have that conversation with customers.
Visitors of the Soap Shop will not be disappointed with the sites and smells of the natural and novelty soaps and are encouraged to call (613) 930-0468 before venturing out to the shop to ensure it’s open.