4 minute read
DELIGHTFUL SOAP FOR YOUR SKIN
Delightful soap
for your skin
By Kevin Druley | Photos by Tue Cramer Photography
Skin careis top ofmind at GingerThomas SoapCompany
Stirred awake by the occasional dream, Michelle George keeps a pen near her bedside so as not to lose her train of thought.
In the daylight hours, chances are good George’s mind reverberates with reflections of one thing: soap.
“I tease people and say that’s absolutely embedded in my DNA,” she says.
A third-generation soap-maker who spent much of her upbringing in the U.S. Virgin Islands, George connected her family’s geographical background with its vocational one by opening Ginger Thomas Soap Company in September 2020. The downtown Oswego shop offers an impressive selection of artisan bath and body soaps, body butters and other products made from natural ingredients. Hospitality remains in full supply, too, with George and Co. wishing customers, “Happy skin, happy life,” upon exiting and passing the two large, yellow trumpet flowers — also known as Ginger Thomases — situated in the front window.
“It’s just a neat local business with good people running it and a good product,” customer Brian Bella of Oswego says.
George, who works alongside her husband and “No. 1” of 40-plus years, Russell, says, “Ginger
Thomas is sweet and whimsical and very welcoming to all who come and visit,” whether they be first-timers or returning guests. She affectionately has dubbed the latter group “Ginger snaps.” Still, not everything about the shop is influenced by whimsy. George admits plenty of intentional thoughts about the organization and layout of Ginger Thomas rested in her head, and likely on dream notes, for years. That includes the business phone number, 630-551-2284. Rummage for the nearest rotary phone and you’ll find the final four digits spell B-A-T-H. “Let’s see. By design, or was it meant to be?” George laughs. “Hmm. I just think it was meant to be. It was written in the stars.”
Asked what spurred the opening of the shop at this time and location, George takes a similar approach. Though she scouted other possibilities in other suburbs, “it just felt absolutely right” in downtown Oswego, she says.
Her own assessment of the handmade soap scene in the region prompted Thomas to deliver on a longstanding dream.
“It was something that I just absolutely felt a necessity to do,” Thomas says. “Soaps and bath and body care products, they come a dime a dozen, but there is definitely a need for natural products, natural soaps and body butters and products of that nature. It’s needed.”
You’ll get no argument from customers of all ages. Thomas calls her 3-year-old grandson, Jaxon, “our brand ambassador,” giggling about his penchant for examining inventory, which includes unscented baby products.
Ready For A New Look?
We’re here to help you bring it all together beautifully with fashionable, quality furniture and accessories, as well as extensive brand and decorating knowledge.
Plano, Illinois EST. 1886
Promising The Lowest Prices, Excellent Customer Service & Free Delivery!
Protect Your New Furniture! FREE
ScotchgardTM Fabric Protector Upgrade
COOPER HOME FURNISHINGS • 630- 552- 8288
Offer valid thru 10-20-21 when you present this ad at time of furniture purchase. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases.
112 W. Main St., Downtown Plano • 630-552- 8288 Mon & Fri 9am-9pm • Tues & Wed 9am-6pm Thurs 9am-12pm • Sat 9am-6pm • Closed Sun www.cooperhomefurnishings.com
Bella’s daughter, Autumn, discovered the shop with her family around Christmas. The 9-year-old transformed into a Ginger snap almost instantly, raving about the company to everyone she met and often toting neighbors or out-of-town guests on the Bellas’ jaunts downtown.
“They just have very simple soaps,” Autumn says. “Not very scratchy soaps. It’s just very simple.”
George recently created something more ornate for Autumn’s birthday: mermaidshaped soap for her to give friends at her party. The girl and third-generation soap-maker alike acknowledge their connection as special, although that hasn’t kept Autumn from offering friendly business advice. “She gives out free samples too much,” Autumn says. “She doesn’t make money from them.”
George can’t help it. She merely feels blessed to practice her craft and bring her handiwork to an eager clientele. “It has been a heck of a ride, but I’m going to tell you, through COVID-19, through the whole thing, we’re so grateful for the support and for the encouragement of our community,” George says. “And not just of the community, but individuals that travel from far and near. We’re just so thankful that individuals love our soaps and they continue to come back over and over and over again. “As much as we make a great product, we just couldn’t do it without the love of others, and we’re very grateful for that.”
GINGER THOMAS SOAP COMPANY 58 Main St., Oswego 630-551-2284 Facebook: Ginger Thomas Soap Company
with help from Eric Hill Enterprises
