Vancouverites have until 10 p.m. Tuesday (May 2) to stock up on their favourite scents by Kilig Candle Co. before the business closes down for good.
Owner Sean Blishen announced on Instagram Monday that she had decided to end Kilig after only three years because "life is taking [her] on a new and very exciting path."
Blishen founded the candle company in 2020 from her parents' kitchen with scents and names inspired by her Filipino heritage and Canadian West Coast upbringing. For every candle purchased, one meal was donated to an impoverished child in the Philippines through a partnership with the non-profit Adhika.
In the years following the launch of her company, Bilshen hosted "Girl Gang" pop-ups, and grew the business to the point where the brand was stocked at over 70 retailers and Bilshen was named on the BC Business Top 30 Under 30 list.
"Having Kilig has been the most fun, stressful, fulfilling, and educational ride of my life," she says in the Instagram post announcing the closure. She reminisces on the transition from running weekly deliveries with her dad to moving into a 3,000-square-foot warehouse and thanks her customers for supporting the local small business.
"And the biggest thank you goes to my parents and Michael, thank you for standing by my side and believing in me," she says. "I have so much love for all of you and cannot thank you or express my gratitude enough."
Before the online store goes dark, Belshin is offering 40 per cent off ( with the code “GOODBYE”) and no tax on purchases of Canadian residents who order directly through DM.
The Instagram account will remain active however for people who want to follow the next phase of Bilshen's journey.
Kilig is the Tagalog word for the inexplicable joy of love, like "the butterflies in your stomach."
With files from Harry Linley
