Annette Debeic’s love affair with Muddy Creek Soap Company started with a gift basket.
It began over 15 years ago, when a mutual friend of Debiec and Muddy Creek founder Beverly Kelly-Carfango offered Debiec a sampling of Kelly-Carfango’s passion project — soaps hand-crafted with natural ingredients.
“I just loved the stuff,” Debiec said. “I just kind of really took to it.”
All Kelly-Carfango’s products are hand-made with love in small batches.
“We use a lot of organic and natural ingredients,” Kelly-Carfango said. “It definitely makes a difference in your skin. I was always very sensitive to store-bought soaps and products since I was a little kid.”
Kelly-Carfango’s offerings were popular enough that the former sales employee was able to transition fully to soap making, eventually opening a physical location in West Reading in 2016.
The Muddy Creek Soap Company at 608 Penn Avenue in West Reading is under new ownership. (BILL UHRICH/MEDIANEWS GROUP)
The store now boasts a considerable selection of soaps, bath products and more, from candles and aromatherapy sprays to bath bombs and body butter.
Shower steamers are a popular item at the Muddy Creek Soap Company at 608 Penn Avenue in West Reading. (BILL UHRICH/MEDIANEWS GROUP)
Since Muddy Creek’s debut on Penn Avenue, Debiec, who worked in procurement, has often lent her talents to Kelly-Carfango, helping during festivals and events.
“It’s such a great product,” Debiec said. “People love it. Her fan base, some of them have been loyal followers for the whole 16 years that she’s been doing it. I think that speaks for the product itself.”
Those fans include Debiec, who, in addition to being good friends with Kelly-Carfango, has been a regular consumer of Muddy Creek soaps.
“Probably my go-to favorite is the beach (scent),” Debiec said. “But my close second is the pistachio magnolia.”
When the time came for Kelly-Carfango to step back from the store, Debiec seemed like a natural choice to take the reins.
“My mom worked at the West Reading Drug Store for 41 years,” Debiec said. “I remember working there when I was younger and thinking, ‘I would love to have a shop on Penn Avenue.’”
Debiec’s dream came true in October when Kelly-Carfango sold her the store.
Since then, Kelly-Carfango has been helping Debiec learn soap making and the back-end processes of store management.
Kelly-Carfango said she anticipates being involved for the next few months as needed before embracing retirement.
“I love making soaps and being creative, so I would imagine I’ll still be able to do that when I’m around,” Kelly-Carfango said. “I’ll miss seeing the employees and the customers.”
She said she’s looking forward to spending time in Florida, where she has family.
As for Debiec’s plans for the store, she said she’s looking to expand, while also ensuring fans a steady supply of the products they’ve come to adore.
“Everyone loves the product,” Debiec said. “So my goal is to keep it the same. Maybe add some new things, maybe do some more festivals, get in with more wholesale clients. Just to continue to grow the business.”
She said customers have shown interest in laundry detergent and yoga mat spray, but she hasn’t settled on any new products yet.
On Feb. 12, the store celebrated its 10-year anniversary at 608 Penn Ave. with an event featuring cocktails, appetizers and a 20% discount.
“It (the store) is small, close to the heart,” Debiec said. “It’s community based, community oriented, all the things I wanted to have (in a shop).”
Muddy Creek is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Products can also be purchased online at muddycreeksoapcompany.com.
Soaps are one of the specialty items at the Muddy Creek Soap Company at 608 Penn Avenue in West Reading. (BILL UHRICH/MEDIANEWS GROUP)