Vancouverites continue to express their anger, shock and sadness on social media toward the co-owner of a Vancouver-based candle company who admits to sending a series of racist texts.
The Vancouver-based candle company has come under fire for a series of racist and threatening messages that a local sales agency says it received from the company's co-owner, Nick Rabuchin.
Over the weekend, the Warner McDaniel Agency shared a series of screenshots in an Instagram post that they say contain conversations with Rabuchin of Vancouver Candle Co. The messages contain disturbing and hateful racist language.
A number of companies that Vancouver Candle Co. has worked with have responded in disbelief and consternation, and many of them say they won't work with the company moving forward. For example, retail heavyweight Chapters Indigo states that it will pull all of Vancouver Candle Company's products from its online site and stores.
Nordstrom Canada also carries the candle company, and responded to a comment on an Instagram post last night calling for it to remove the product, writing: Nordstrom does not tolerate discrimination of any kind and this extends to our partners. We take this seriously and are looking into these claims. - Lauren."
Nicolette Zoric, Rabuchin's former assistant, is coming forward to call out her former employer. In an Instagram post, she writes that she has seen first hand how, "sick this individual is and how he spent no time bad mouthing anyone who came upon him."
In its first apology, Vancouver Candle Co. writes a lengthy post claiming that it didn't author all three texts and will continue to educate itself and continue learning.
Here are some of the responses in the comments:
"This is not an apology - it’s a gaslighting word salad. Do better."
- @fionaforbes
"This.is.gross. Even though we may not know the full story, to speak to someone in such a vulgar manner is reprehensible, especially a black woman, after proclaiming black lives matter."
- @sandeepjohalart
"Lol, too fucking late. What's been said that people haven't posted? There's no "context" to calling someone the N word or a "fucking Jew". NONE. I'm tossing your candle in the garbage where the rest of your stuff belongs."
- @thisisshelleyj
"Wow. You guys have been my gift of choice for very long - not anymore. Until tangible and real action is taken, I won’t be supporting your business, as well as actively sharing why I do not support your business any time I see a Vancouver candle being sold in a store or placed in a home."
-
@amelia.wild
"This is such a dumbass, bullshit apology. If you're admitting to hurtful words, what is the "fabrication"?
- @moham_go_ham
In another one of its posts, the candle companys shares a picture of a rock and asks, "Beauty comes in all colours, shapes and sizes. Don’t you agree?"
Here are some of the responses in the comments:
"Closing your comments on your BLM post?! Calling people slurs?! Yah doesn’t seem like you agree."
- @okayshoe
"Please educate yourself on racial injustices. Having POC in your life is not a pass for ignorance."
- @artbychilds
"Please educate yourself on racism, and the use of racial slurs. This is disgusting and nobody should support your business. #cancelled. "
- @lisette_army
"No scented candle will mask the smell of your entitled shit, might as well be open and honest about your mistakes."
- @doughoftheday
"Just FYI using the N word is criminal and inhumane it’s not just a “word” that can be thrown around. Sad to see a company like you accepts behavior like this. Also sending threatening texts, emails, and voicemails. How do you live with yourself everyday and calling it “false rumors” when your number is literally exposed? So sad to see that people like you still can’t accept the fact that POC are HUMAN just like you. POC deserve the same equality. Just because your white does not mean you are better. You are part of the problem. But again not surprised."
- @vibewithnat
"Trying to spread rumours and defame us with lies." They brought the receipts, there are photos. This is unacceptable. Admit your fault, make a REAL apology, put your money where your mouth is and donate to the cause of you really feel. Your company is guilty of the things it says regardless of the timeline. Act like it."
- @boxcarbakes
In its latest post, Vancouver Candle Co. shared an image that reads, "I f**cked up" along with an apology from co-owner Nick Rabuchin. In addition to stating that he is "ashamed and embarrassed, Rabuchin says that he is stepping down from the company.
Here are some of the responses in the comments:
"Please do us a favour, and educate yourself firstly: as a gay man why you are entitled to having a "life partner" today and WHO fought for the gay community to have any rights today. We OWE it all to the Black/Trans community. This is shameful."
- @hixt_ist
"The problem with a company where the OWNER is a racist is that even if you step away from day-to-day operations, you will still be reaping profit from the company as a whole. Apologies that ‘check all the right boxes’ after you have already 1) been publicly called out 2) initially denied accusations and disabled comments on your post 3) provided non-apology defending your actions and 4) finally giving a straightforward apology only after you started bleeding followers and vendors."
- @madelainebeckett
"So what, you’re implying a Black woman is lying about the N-word text and we’re just supposed to believe you? Especially after that completely ridiculous first response? Us white queers have a responsibility to do waaaaayyyyy better."
- @laurengsundstrom
V.I.A. has reached out to Vancouver Candle Co. for comment and will update the story when information becomes available.
