P.F. Candle Co. and Grillo’s Pickles turn curiosity into craft with a limited-edition pickle candle debuting in Brooklyn. A scent that is playful, nostalgic, and surprisingly refined.

When I received the invitation to P.F. Candle Co.’s newest launch—a collaboration with Grillo’s Pickles, I did not hesitate. A pickle candle? The idea was as curious as it was irresistible. So, on a cool November afternoon, I headed to the north side of Williamsburg, where the beloved fragrance brand unveiled its latest limited-edition scent—an unexpected blend of craft, nostalgia, and play.

The event promised everything a good Brooklyn afternoon should have: free pickles, cocktails, live chain-stitching, and even a surprise treat from PopUp Bagels. The candle officially launches to the public on November 14. Guests at the Williamsburg shop got a first look and a first whiff of what might be the most delightfully unconventional candle of the season.

The Scene in Williamsburg

The energy was lively and effortless—exactly what you would expect from a brand that understands community as much as it does scent. Inside, shelves of amber-glass jars glowed softly against an industrial backdrop while guests mingled, sipped cocktails, and sampled pickles straight from the source.

The surprise hit of the day? Bagels from PopUp Bagels served with a tangy pickle cream cheese that balanced savory with just the right amount of brine. It paired seamlessly with the featured cocktails:

Grillo’s Pickle Fizz: a sparkling mix of pickle brine, lemonade, and soda water brightened with your choice of SKYY Vodka, Espolón Tequila, or Almave’s non-alcoholic agave spirit. Refreshing and slightly tangy, it struck that playful balance between curiosity and delight.

Sam Sam’s Highball: minimalist and crisp, a tall pour of soda water with your spirit of choice. Light, effervescent, and unfussy—the kind of drink that keeps the conversation going.

Prima Pavé Blanc de Blancs, a non-alcoholic Italian sparkling wine with delicate bubbles and floral notes that held just long enough to feel celebratory. It gave the afternoon a polished ease, a kind of understated elegance that felt like the pause between good conversation and laughter.

It all felt intentionally casual yet elevated—a small celebration of flavor, fragrance, and community in the heart of Brooklyn.

Why P.F. Candle Co. X Grillo’s Pickles?

At first glance, a pickle-scented candle might sound like a playful stunt. But if you know P.F. Candle Co., it somehow fits, unexpected, yet completely in character. The collaboration with Grillo’s Pickles, known for their fresh, tangy, no-nonsense brine, reflects both brands’ shared love for authenticity, wit, and a touch of irreverence.

This is not about chasing trends. It is about curiosity. The candle captures that unmistakable snap of a freshly opened jar: crisp, green, and quietly addictive. Instead of “dill overload,” it leans bright and herbaceous, layered with soft spice and freshness that feels alive. Unexpectedly, it is the kind of scent I can imagine lighting during my morning pages or while cooking. An energizing little spark that wakes up the senses and makes the ordinary feel new again.

About P.F. Candle Co.

Founded in 2008 by Kristen Pumphrey, P.F. Candle Co. began as a one-woman Etsy shop born from creative persistence during the recession. What started with small batches of hand-poured candles in recycled jars has evolved into a full-fledged independent fragrance house, now based in Los Angeles.

Together with her husband and co-owner, Thomas Neuberger, Pumphrey has shaped a brand defined by simplicity, integrity, and quiet intention. Every candle is vegan, cruelty-free, and hand-poured in their Los Angeles studio. A reminder that even in a world of scale, something made with care can still feel deeply personal.

Their signature amber jars and minimal design aesthetic have become instantly recognizable. Yet what truly sets P.F. Candle Co. apart is its instinct for surprise. From nostalgic staples like Teakwood & Tobacco to playful collaborations that blur the line between scent and storytelling, the brand continues to treat fragrance not only as aroma. But as atmosphere, as memory, as a way of living.

About Grillo’s Pickles

Founded in 2008 by Travis Grillo, Grillo’s Pickles began with a single wooden pickle cart on the streets of Boston. Known for their signature 100-year-old family recipe and famously fresh, tangy brine, the brand has evolved from a local cult favorite to a national staple stocked in grocery aisles across the country.

Built on simplicity, just cucumbers, garlic, dill, and water. Grillo’s stands for honesty, freshness, and fun. Their collaboration with P.F. Candle Co. feels both surprising and completely natural.

The Experience at P.F. Candle Co. Launch Party

Launch events in New York can start to blur together, but this one did not. It was joyful and unpretentious. I did not leave with the usual event fatigue or another tote bag of things I would never use. Instead, I left with a genuine smile and the faint scent of pickles still in the air.

There was laughter, conversations between strangers about scent memories, and that familiar Brooklyn ease where everyone seems to know someone. I found myself returning to the tester candle more than once, trying to place why it worked so well. Maybe it is the contrast. The balance between nostalgia and novelty. Or perhaps it is simply a reminder that thoughtful design always leaves room for a little play.

Either way, it is proof that whimsy can still feel elevated when done with care.

A Lesson in Scent and Story

P.F. Candle Co. has always treated fragrance as more than aroma. It is storytelling in another form. Each scent invites you to pause, to notice the small moments that shape a day. This collaboration with Grillo’s Pickles amplifies that idea: playful, grounded in real life, and designed to spark connection.

At a time when home fragrance often blurs into sameness, soft woods, sweet vanillas, familiar ambers, this candle breaks the pattern. It is a sensory wink, a reminder that scent should surprise and delight as much as it soothes.

Where to Find the P.F. Candle Co. x Grillo’s Pickles Candle

The P.F. Candle Co. x Grillo’s Pickles candle officially launches November 14, both online and in P.F. Candle Co. stores. Quantities are limited, and given the buzz from the Williamsburg preview, it is safe to say this one will not stay in stock for long.

If you are in New York, stop by the Williamsburg shop to experience it in person. Or, if you are reading this from afar, set a reminder for the launch day on pfcandleco.com.

P.F. Candle Co. and the Art of the Unexpected

Brooklyn has a way of embracing the unexpected, where something as simple as a pickle candle can become an object of fascination. It is that blend of curiosity and craftsmanship that keeps the city’s creative spirit alive.

And that is what P.F. Candle Co. captured so beautifully. A collaboration that began with a question. Can this actually work? And ended with an answer that feels pure Brooklyn: yes, and it smells incredible.

✨ Experience the scent that everyone is talking about.
Visit P.F. Candle Co. Williamsburg or shop online starting November 14.

📍 P.F. Candle Co.
63 N 3rd Street — Williamsburg, Brooklyn [Between Wythe and Kent]
🌐 P.F. Candle Co.
📸 Instagram: @pfcandleco