The Alice Candle Bar & Perfumery, located in the back of The Golden Slipper, is a whimsical experience year-round. But autumn brings a different level of enchantment to the Germantown hotspot, complete with self-stirring coffee mugs, even more dried flowers and, this year, a Practical Magic-themed fragrance workshop. 

Fans of the ‘90s cult classic have just a few days left to experience The Alice’s Alchemy House class, an immersive nod to all things witchy. “We’re kind of making potions in a way when making perfumes,” says shop owner Abbey Moore. “We’re not casting spells, but we’re definitely creating something with elements from the earth.” 

Abbey opened The Golden Slipper in 2020 as an homage to her grandmother, Alice. “She was always telling me to go for my dreams and shoot for the stars,” she says. The storefront is a one-stop shop for gifts, décor and wonderfully wacky treasures. Abbey’s avid love of fragrance, fostered by her grandmother, made The Alice a natural next step. “I have fond memories of always trying on her perfume and asking if I could have it,” she says. 

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At The Alice, guests craft signature scents with clean ingredients. “We want you to feel like you learned a little something about fragrance, but it’s not pretentious,” Abbey says. “You leave with a bit of knowledge on how to pair scents, how they work on your skin and why it’s important that we use non-toxic ingredients.”

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The retro setting — largely inspired by the jazz club Abbey’s grandparents owned — features playful wallpaper, velvet curtains and plush bar stools. Alice’s photo proudly hangs on the wall, and instructors tell her story at the start of each class. “She performed every night at [the jazz club],” Abbey says. “And on stage, her signature look was her golden slippers.” 

Each class offers intentional and personal delights. Participants mix their concoctions in glass beakers while sipping from ornate teacups. They pour candles into barware reminiscent of glasses Abbey inherited from her grandmother, and handwritten perfume names adorn elegant glass bottles. 

Adding to the whimsy, the Alchemy House workshop begins with intention setting — an invitation to be mindful and reflect on what you hope the future holds. Along with The Alice’s 28 classic essential oils, seasonal scents like Autumn Leaves are also at the ready. 

Despite the Alchemy House experience having a limited timeframe (The Golden Slipper flips for Christmas on Oct. 25), plenty more holiday delights are in store. Abbey and her team plan to create a nostalgic, ‘90s-inspired Christmas workshop. “I hope [guests] want to linger and that when they create a scent, it helps them have a memory of not only that scent but the time they had here and who they were with,” Abbey says. 

To learn more about The Golden Slipper, visit https://www.thegoldenslippernashville.com/.