Soapy Jones knows a thing or two about making cleaning products. When she was a child, she’d watch her grandmother make soap on the condition that Soapy wouldn’t bother her while doing so. “She was a pretty stoic woman so she liked her quiet” remembers Soapy. The family raised pigs and believed in utilizing every part of the animal, so soap was made out of the fat. The child on the pig farm would never envision she’d have a decade-plus business centered around soap, but that’s become a reality and more as Left Hand Soap Company made their grand opening in Pepper Place earlier this month!
The business has been in Tuscaloosa for years leading up to this exciting development, with their last location serving customers since 2016. The concept started shortly after Soapy graduated from the University of Alabama and found herself without much money and needing affordable Christmas presents for her loved ones. She reflected back to the days of watching her grandmother make soap and decided that would be the perfect solution to her giver’s dilemma.
Soapy assumed people would appreciate her thoughtful gifts but was shocked to hear that most people didn’t know how to make soap, and also that they wanted to buy her creations! After a steady stream of friends came to her asking for soap, she started telling them that she’d “make whatever they buy.” That was 22 years ago, and things have only progressed since.
While things took off to a great start, Left Hand Soap Company has always been purposeful in practicing patience while growing. “Ingredients matter so much. Quality matters so much” per Soapy. This belief guides the business and has paid off big time for both Left Hand and their customers. The company was started out of a house with products being sold at markets and festivals before eventually moving to a production space in Tuscaloosa. It didn’t take long for customers to learn the location and start showing up to purchase goods in person - leading to the official retail location in 2016. After a series of discussions with a realtor friend, Soapy found the Pepper Place storefront too good of an opportunity to pass up. (However, they are still in retail shops and have a pick-up location available in Tuscaloosa.)
Soap is obviously a centerpiece of the shop’s merchandise, with favorite blends like rosemary mint (both liquid and solid), detox, and lavender patchouli joining a wide variety of exciting options including garlic, chocolate mint, tomato, and coffee! They even have partnerships with a variety of Alabama breweries including Druid City, Good People, and Black Warrior to create some incredible suds-inspired soaps. The company is ready to address customers’ preferences and loves experimenting. They are passionate about creating unique products for specific skin concerns, so feel free to reach out!
While soap is a highlight, it’s far from the only product available. Balm, body butter, insect repellent, local honey, bear oil, growlers, candles, shave mugs, and more stand proudly alongside a top-notch shirt and tote bag collection tussling for the customer’s attention. To sum it up, the company’s focus is “all natural, locally sourced (when possible) skin care”. They are even working on a line of vet-approved products for animals with sensitive skin, and have detergent and other household care items with a healthier approach on the way soon as well.
While the products expand and new locations open, Left Hand hasn’t strayed from their original goals. “Skin is our first barrier to the world, and when it is healthy, we have so much more opportunity to thrive and do good things and live a happy life” Soapy passionately states. It’s easy to see that this is more than a business for the family (Soapy now runs the store with her husband Erik and her son Aidan Ellis) - it’s a life improvement source.
The shop will soon offer soap-making classes like they did at their Tuscaloosa location and is already feeling the love of the Magic City. “I have found the people of Birmingham to be the most welcoming, the kindest, the most invested in community well-being that I’ve ever met. It has definitely been validated in the time that we have spent up in Birmingham so far, and I don’t see why that would change” Soapy commented. It’s safe to say that they are excited to be in the city, and the city is excited to have them.
As the company loves to say “Go get dirty” Birmingham, and let this local company’s products handle washing it all out!
Photos provided by Soapy Jones
