PORTAGE PARK — Sam Davis is celebrating his popular business’s 10-year anniversary this weekend and is inviting the community to join him.
Davis, owner of Distinct Bath and Body shop and soap making studio at 4046 N.
Milwaukee Ave. in Six Corners, is hosting an anniversary event 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday with music, free finger food and drinks from Junebug Cafe next door, soap demonstrations, giveaways and sales.
Davis will also offer a raffle for a yearly soap subscription, unveil new products and do a holiday gift preview, he said.
The shop opened in November 2013 at 6051 W. Irving Park Road in Portage Park.
Davis founded the business after working for a large logistics and transport company for 20 years, and he grew a following for its bath bombs, artisan soaps, shower scrubs, grooming supplies and more.
Davis moved the shop to its current location seven years ago to have more inventory and space to host soap-making classes, he said. Davis estimates he’s hosted close to 100 classes in the past 10 years, he said.
“It’s kind of hard to believe that time has gone by pretty quickly, but it’s definitely been a journey,” Davis said. “It was really rough during COVID, but we were able to adapt and do some different things and we survived.”
Some of those pivots included focusing more on online sales, hosting more soap classes and working the Jefferson Park and Park Ridge farmers markets, which have been helpful to the business, Davis said.
“The markets have been a great home base. … The people there are fantastic,” he said.
Davis is grateful for the community support and to his family for sticking by his side for 10 years, he said. When he moved his business to Six Corners, he was stressed about opening in late November with no help, he said.
But the day before the shop was set to open, Davis’ wife and nephews surprised him with all hands on deck to unpack and make the shop ready for customers, he said.
“Everyone was here — I would never have pulled it off without them,” he said.
Since then, Davis’ family has helped out at the business and farmers markets, and his sister does the shop’s marketing. He also has been able to hire an assistant thanks to steady sales.
“My kid’s grandpa has even grown mint in his garden for our soaps,” Davis said.
Distinct Bath and Body is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
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