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Marilee here! When we started Bend Soap Company years ago on our little goat farm in Bend, Oregon, I never imagined our family-owned business would one day have roots halfway across the country. But life has a beautiful way of surprising you. Sometimes God nudges you in a new direction long before you realize He’s preparing the way.
Today, our home base is Lawrenceburg, TN: a charming community in the heart of southern Tennessee that captured our hearts quicker than we ever thought possible.
As winter settles in around us here, with frosty mornings and a new storefront on the horizon, I’ve been reflecting on how grateful I am for this place and the people who’ve become part of our story. I’d like to introduce you to Lawrenceburg.
The Journey That Brought Us to Lawrenceburg
For years, Dwight searched for a second shipping location for Bend Soap. We had outgrown every option in Bend, Oregon—our warehouse was later taken through eminent domain and we could no longer operate on the farm due to state regulations. With so many customers on the East Coast, we knew a more central hub would help us ship faster and more affordably.
While scouting properties across Kentucky and northern Tennessee, Dwight happened to run out of his favorite Eucalyptus Spearmint soap bar. When he checked our website to see if any nearby shops carried Bend Soap, he found one near Waynesboro, TN. On the way there, a warehouse listing caught his eye. The agent, Blake Lay, turned out to be the mayor of Lawrenceburg, and he insisted on showing Dwight another property in town.
The moment Dwight arrived, something felt different…
The warehouse needed renovation, but the town itself felt like it had been waiting for us. Everything unfolded quickly from there: we began updating the building, sent out our first Oregon team member (Jay), and started shipping products out by the semi-load. That fall, our family drove cross-country to help prepare for the holiday rush.
The rolling hills, open fields, and brilliant fall colors reminded me of my hometown in upstate New York, and I instantly understood why Dwight felt drawn here. During that trip, we toured homes, made an offer, and closed shortly after the new year. Within months, we made the decision to relocate our entire operation (along with several team members from OR) to Lawrenceburg.
A Fresh Start With a Slower Pace
Moving from Bend to Lawrenceburg was a big shift for our family, not just geographically but in how we lived day-to-day. Bend holds so much of our history…our beginnings, the farm, the goats, our first batches of fresh goat milk soap, and the community that helped shape our little business into what it is today.
We’re forever grateful for our time in Bend, but Lawrenceburg has brought a different kind of beauty into our lives. There’s a slower pace here, but it’s a full one—the kind that makes room for meaningful conversations and strong community ties. And despite being so far from where our story began, we feel deeply connected to this town.
Each time we return to Bend, it feels like home. Each time we return to Lawrenceburg, it feels just as sweet to be home again. This season of our lives holds both places in a special balance, with our hometown roots in Oregon and a bright future in Tennessee. (Psst… Read more of what we love about Bend in our other blog post!)
What We Love Most About Lawrenceburg, TN
Lawrenceburg may be a small town, but it has a way of filling your days with simple joys and a real sense of belonging. There’s always something fun going on and the pace of life encourages you to slow down just enough to appreciate the beauty around you.
Here are some of the things that made us fall in love with this Tennessee town:
- A community that shows up. From the farmers markets and Amish auctions to parades, rodeos, and vendor fairs, Lawrenceburg has one of the most active small-town communities we’ve ever experienced. People genuinely enjoy supporting one another.
- The outdoor scenery. Parks, waterfalls, fall foliage, and scenic drives make it easy to get outside. David Crockett State Park has quickly become a family favorite for us with its peaceful trails, waterfalls, and sparkling lake.
- A charming downtown full of heart. The Downtown Lawrenceburg square offers a little bit of everything—local shops like The Haven, Paper & Thread and New Moon Antiques, historic landmarks, the Crockett Theatre, Crockett Cinemas, and soon…our very own Bend Soap storefront!
- Family-friendly activities for every season. Whether it’s golfing at the country club, playing a round of frisbee golf, or enjoying a community event, there’s no shortage of wholesome fun for families here.
- The warmest welcome. This community embraced our family and Bend Soap Company with open arms. Local shops carry our products, summer tours were a hit, and the excitement around our upcoming storefront means the world to us.
What Lawrenceburg Has Given Our Family
The biggest gift Lawrenceburg has given us is its people. This town welcomed our family (and them Bend Soap Company family) with open arms. Several of our favorite downtown shops carry our goat milk products, and everyone we meet seems genuinely excited about the new storefront.
Life here has also encouraged us to embrace new projects and dream in new ways. Dwight loved real estate and quickly dove into many new projects around town. We’ve also been building up our Tennessee farm with chickens, orchard plans, milking goats and cows soon and endless hands-on learning opportunities for the kids.
I hope they look back on this season of life and remember it fondly as a time of creativity, togetherness, and trying new things. Our new community has enriched our lives more than we ever expected. It’s given us space to grow, room to breathe, and the chance to plant new roots while still honoring the place where our story began.
What Lawrenceburg Has Given Our Customers
If you’ve been here a while, then you know this move wasn’t just about our family—it was about serving our customers better. Being centrally located in Tennessee has transformed the way we ship our natural goat milk soap, lotions, and skincare products.
Most of our East Coast customers now receive their orders in just 1-2 days, and even the farthest zones get their packages within 3-4 days. For many people, that’s half the time it used to take to ship from Oregon!
We’ve also been able to avoid the drastic price increases seen in many industries and offer better shipping rates. Our mission has always been to deliver incredible value at a reasonable price, and Lawrenceburg has played a huge role in helping us continue that promise.
Looking Ahead With Gratitude
Our hearts feel full reflecting on the path that brought us to Tennessee and the love we’ve found in this community. Bend will always be part of us, but Lawrenceburg is where we’re building our future – for our family, our team, and the incredible customers we’re so honored to serve.
This little town has given us room to grow and the chance to serve you with even more care and intention. As we prepare to open our downtown storefront, we’re filled with gratitude for every step that led us here. Here’s to new seasons, new beginnings, and the sweet Tennessee town we now call home.
Are you ready to schedule a tour in the next year? We can’t wait to meet you and show you around. I’d love to hear your travel plans in the comments!
