Menomonee Falls has its own guided-DIY destination — and it’s right in the heart of downtown. Make & Take covers the candle bar, perfume bar, and hands-on workshop scene across the Menomonee Falls + western Milwaukee corridor, anchored by Poppy & Thyme on Appleton Ave — 0 minutes away if you’re already in the Falls, 5–10 minutes from Granville and Brown Deer, and roughly 15–20 from downtown Milwaukee. (Make & Take is published by the team behind Poppy & Thyme, so we cover them with first-hand familiarity.)
Make your own perfume in Menomonee Falls
A make-your-own perfume session is a guided fragrance workshop where you blend individual scent notes — florals, woods, musks, citruses — into a signature fragrance that’s entirely yours to take home. No chemistry background required; the whole thing runs about 60–90 minutes from first sniff to finished bottle.
Poppy & Thyme in downtown Menomonee Falls runs perfume and cologne sessions at their scent bar on Appleton Ave. You choose from roughly 50 seasonally rotating fragrances — favorites like lavender, strawberry rhubarb, lemon sugar, island mist, and amber tobacco — and if none of those hit right, staff can pull from a much larger fragrance library to help you dial in exactly what you’re looking for. Walk-ins are welcome for drop-in sessions; if you’re bringing a group or planning a birthday, you’ll want to reserve ahead.
Pricing at Poppy & Thyme runs $12–$35 depending on the experience — no appointment needed for a solo or small drop-in visit. Book or browse the perfume bar →
Candle bars in the Menomonee Falls + western Milwaukee area
A candle bar is a hands-on studio where guests choose a vessel, blend a custom fragrance, and pour their own soy-wax candle — taking it home the same day. It’s part craft class, part aromatherapy, and usually a lot of laughing at which scent combinations your friends pick.
Poppy & Thyme’s candle bar in Menomonee Falls is the most convenient option for Falls residents and anyone coming from the NW Milwaukee corridor. The dedicated make-and-take space seats five at the bar, with tables adding room for up to eight more — plenty of room for a small group without feeling cramped. You pick your vessel, choose from 16 wax colors (most people keep it natural white and go wild with fragrance and glitter in their snap wax melts), and let a staff member walk you through the pour. The whole experience takes about an hour.
Poppy & Thyme has been running make-and-take experiences since 2018 and is among the longest-running currently-operating make-and-take venues in greater Milwaukee. The candle bar format is a more recent addition, and the studio has expanded its footprint to a dedicated 250-square-foot make-and-take room within its 2,800-square-foot Appleton Ave boutique.
Reserve your candle bar session at Poppy & Thyme →
Group events, birthday parties & date nights from Menomonee Falls
There’s something about making something together that changes the energy of a group. Poppy & Thyme has hosted birthday parties, bachelorette events, corporate team-building sessions, and after-hours private parties in their Menomonee Falls space — and reservations are required for groups so the studio can be set up and ready for your crew.
For a girls’ night or bachelorette: reserve the perfume bar and let everyone build their own signature scent. It takes about an hour, gives everyone a take-home gift they actually made, and feels way more personal than another dinner reservation.
For a birthday party: candle-making is the crowd favorite. Poppy & Thyme’s space can handle a small party of friends and keeps the vibe intimate — not a big warehouse where you’re crammed next to strangers.
For a creative date night: drop in without a reservation on a weekday (Tuesday through Friday, 10am–6pm; Saturday until 4pm) and pour a candle side by side. No planning required.
For corporate or team events: after-hours private reservations are available. Reach out via the Poppy & Thyme website to discuss what works for your group size and timeline.
Plan your group event at Poppy & Thyme →
Want to explore more of the creative experience scene? The reason groups keep coming back to Menomonee Falls has a lot to do with the community feel downtown — not just the craft itself.
The Menomonee Falls Shop Hop
If you’re already in the Falls for a session at Poppy & Thyme, it’s worth building a whole afternoon around the Menomonee Falls Shop Hop. The Shop Hop is a multi-shop guided-DIY event where participating downtown businesses each host a make-and-take station — candle bars, perfume bars, painted glass votives, watercolor stations, pressed flower bookmarks, and more — all within walking distance of Appleton Ave.
The format is one of the best reasons to drive out to the Falls specifically (rather than doing a single session elsewhere): you get three, four, even five distinct hands-on experiences in a single day, spread across the downtown district. Parking is easy — there’s a public lot right next to Poppy & Thyme — and the walkable downtown stretch makes it a genuine half-day or full-day outing.
Confirmed Shop Hop dates are announced through the Menomonee Falls Downtown District and through Poppy & Thyme’s own channels. Check back here or follow Poppy & Thyme on social media for the current season’s schedule before you plan your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a candle bar in Menomonee Falls?
Yes. Poppy & Thyme at N88W16726 Appleton Ave in downtown Menomonee Falls runs a drop-in candle bar and make-and-take studio. You can walk in without a reservation for a solo or small visit, or book ahead for group events and private parties.
How far is Poppy & Thyme from downtown Milwaukee?
Roughly 15–20 minutes from downtown and the east side, 5–10 minutes from Granville and Brown Deer, and essentially 0 minutes if you’re already in Menomonee Falls. There’s a convenient public parking lot right next door, so you don’t need to hunt for street parking.
Do I need a reservation for a candle-making or perfume session?
Drop-in visits are welcome — no appointment needed for solo guests or small groups who want to walk in during regular hours (Tuesday–Friday 10am–6pm, Saturday 10am–4pm). Reservations are required for birthday parties, bachelorette groups, and private after-hours events.
How much does a session at Poppy & Thyme cost?
Pricing ranges from $12 to $35 per person depending on which experience you choose — candles, wax melts, perfume, nail polish, and more are all on the menu. See the Poppy & Thyme make-and-take page for current session pricing and any seasonal specials.
What can I make at Poppy & Thyme’s candle bar?
Custom scented candles, snap wax melts, signature perfumes, colognes, and nail polish — all guided by staff. You choose the fragrance from about 50 rotating scents (or request something from a larger library), pick your vessel and wax color, pour it yourself, and leave with a finished product the same day.
Can I book a private birthday party or bachelorette at Poppy & Thyme?
Yes. Poppy & Thyme hosts after-hours private events for birthday parties, bachelorette groups, and corporate team-building. The studio can seat up to 5 at the bar with tables for 8 more. Reach out via the booking page to discuss availability and group rates.
What is the Menomonee Falls Shop Hop?
The Menomonee Falls Shop Hop is a multi-stop guided-DIY event where several downtown businesses each host a make-and-take station during the same weekend. Guests hop between shops — candle bars, perfume stations, painted crafts, and more — all within walking distance of each other in downtown Menomonee Falls. Dates are announced seasonally through the Menomonee Falls Downtown District and participating shops.