PRINCETON — At the end of the month, Good Scents Limited in Princeton will close its doors at its current location on South Main Street as owner Eileen Wright starts a new venture in her business.
Starting in January, she will work out of a kiosk in the Clark Mall on Fridays filling orders, selling product, preparing ship outs, etc.
It will be a change, no doubt, but Wright said she’s not ready to give up helping others. She will continue to operate her website, which is currently undergoing a transformation and she will keep up her business Facebook page, which customers have used to stay in touch.
Good Scents has had a presence on Main Street for 30 years. It was founded in 1989 by Mary Jo Hetrick, who started the business in her basement before moving to Main Street in 1990. Some might remember her brief stint in the former red school house on South Main Street (the building has since been torn down), before moving to its current location at 504 S. Main St., next door to the Bureau County Senior Center.
Hetrick started the business after developing a close friendship with a man who had designed fragrances for Elizabeth Arden.
Wright quickly became a frequent shopper in her store and developed a friendship with Hetrick, who ended up hiring her.
“I worked with her, she hired me, then after she had owned the business on Main Street for almost 10 years, she sold it to me in 2000,” Wright said. “I have owned it for 20 years. This is like my baby. My child. I don’t have any, but this is it.”
Wright had dabbled in fragrances in her early life before meeting Hetrick. She still remembers going to her grandmother’s home and testing out fragrances, oils and powders lined up on the bathroom mirror.
“Never once did I get in trouble for blending,” Wright said, who now attributes her love for fragrance to her grandmother.
Although Hetrick has been pasted on for 13 years, Wright said her presence is still with her. Wright said Hetrick was a go-getter and strong business woman who she learned a lot from before taking on the business and while she was in business herself. She also attributes her business success to her stepfather and mother for their teachings along the way.
“I think I have many more years of helpings others in whatever way I’m needed. God has not shown me that yet, but I’m here,” she said.
Wright said she can’t lie, COVID has impacted her business. Plus, she and her sister, Susie Wright, who operates Homestead Flowers out of the Good Scents, are both semi-retiring to spend more time with their 83-year-old mother.
It’s going to be a change of pace, but Wright urges she’s not entirely done with her business.
Susie will also sell her silk flower arrangements from the kiosk in the Clark Mall. Plus, the purses, which have been very popular item in Good Scents over the years, will still be available for sale and Susie’s homemade ‘dog crack’ biscuits that fly off the shelves each week will also still be available.
Good Scents has been a unique store that’s offer a wide variety of items aside from fragrances. Wright has also done essential oil blending, offered a full line of bath and body products all made by hand at the store, plus jewelry and other fun gift items.
Wright has made many friends over the years, and it’s what she’s prided herself on.
“You may come in as a customer once, but we are fast friends after that. You are our friends, not just our customers,” she said. “For 30 years, I’ve made many friends. I’m very blessed.”
Wright has a deeper passion for fragrance that’s more than just a scent hitting the nose. To her perfume can depict the inside of a person.
“It’s what’s inside that counts. We need to see that in more people. We need to feel that more. We need to have the empathy and compassion for more people. I just feel sometimes it brings it out in here.
It’s much more than just fragrance,” she said.
She urges people to stay in touch with Facebook and never hesitate to call her phone number, which will also not change.
“I want everyone to be as comfortable there as they have been here. Even though it’s going to be a much smaller base, we will still be there,” she said.
Good Scents will remain open in its current location during normal business hours through Dec. 28. It will be open limited hours Dec. 30-31. Wright said it will then take a couple weeks to get acclimated in the Clark Mall.