A Fresh Start

Photos by Darrin Phegley

A new small business is bringing handmade craftsmanship and a touch of chemistry to Henderson’s farmers market. Niagara Soap Company, founded by Mark Andrews and his wife Jennifer, is a family-run venture that blossomed from a post-retirement hobby into a rewarding local business. What started as a simple curiosity about soap-making has now become a way for the Andrews family to stay active, creative, and connected with their community.

After 23 years teaching science and four years serving as athletic director at Henderson County High School, Mark Andrews retired in July 2024. Retirement didn’t last long, however. By the fall, he was already looking for a new challenge. When he and Jennifer learned that local soap maker Lucia Felty, owner of Lucia Soaps, was scaling back her business and selling her equipment, they decided to take a closer look.

“Once I started talking to Lucia, it just sounded interesting,” Mark explained. “The techniques reminded me of chemistry experiments I used to do with my students. It’s really about careful measuring, safe handling of materials, and creativity with colors and scents.”

For a lifelong science teacher, the transition made sense. Soap-making involves precision, patience, and a little bit of artistry, skills that Mark had been practicing throughout his career in the classroom. By December 2024, he was already learning directly from Lucia, and by January 2025, he was making soaps on his own.

Niagara Soap Company specializes in handcrafted bar soaps made with five key oils: olive, coconut, palm, castor, and shea butter. These ingredients, combined with lye, form the base of each bar. From there, fragrances and colors are added. Currently, Mark and Jennifer are focusing on fall and winter scents that feel cozy and inviting during the colder months.

The name “Niagara Soap Company” pays homage to Mark’s hometown of Niagara, Kentucky, a small community near Henderson. The Andrews family felt it was important to connect their new business to the place they call home. Their logo, which Mark designed himself using Canva, features a cornfield inspired by the view from their back door. “It may not be the most creative name,” Mark admitted, “but it represents who we are and where we’re from. We love this community.”

Soap-making at Niagara is more than a business, it’s a family project. Jennifer plays an important role in choosing scents and colors, while their daughters, Maddie (10) and Candler (6), love helping with decorations and lending a hand at the farmers market, making the business a true family effort.

Since January 2025, Mark has been a regular vendor at the Henderson Farmers Market, selling soaps on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. While most shoppers come to the market for produce, Niagara Soap Company has carved out its niche and developed a loyal following.

“The best part is when customers come back for a second or third time,” Mark said. “That tells me we’re doing something right.”

Though he has looked into expanding to other markets, such as Owensboro, Mark has chosen to keep his focus local for now. The Henderson market not only provides steady sales but also opportunities to meet new people and build friendships with other vendors. For Mark, that sense of community has been just as rewarding as the business itself.

While the farmers market has been a great start, Mark believescraft fairs will provide an even larger market for his products since soap isn’t something people buy every week like vegetables. Growing awareness of Niagara Soap Company will help shine a light on his products in settings where shoppers are looking for unique, handmade goods.

This fall, Niagara Soap Company will appear at several regional events, including the Madisonville Arts and Crafts Fair, the Craft Tucky Festival at the Owensboro Convention Center, and a one-day event in Corydon on October 19. Mark hopes these events will introduce his products to new audiences and expand his base of loyal customers.

Outside of soap-making, Mark also keeps busy with part-time work at local radio station WSON, where he sells advertising. Having built relationships with the station during his time as athletic director, the move into sales felt natural. Between radio work, market days, and family life, Mark’s schedule remains full and purposeful.