The Wax Factory Character Interviews

Character Interview with Dmitri Townsend

1. What can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Dmitri Townsend, I’m 20 years old and I attend Bartholemew Halbriar University. I’m a fun and outgoing person, I’m into history and I’m a big football fan. I’m laid back and I enjoy traveling and trying new things. I’m not a angry or violent person and I treat others as they like to be treated. I enjoy writing and art although I’m not good at either but I appreciate those who can. I was born in and grew up here in Craven Hollow and I know the rest of New York is busy but I honestly love it here and I wouldn’t trade it to be somewhere else. I’m a determined and goal driven individual,

2. Would you enter a creepy old factory?

What an odd question(laughs). Uhh..I mean yeah sure why not. I’m up for an adventure and I mean my best friend Derek is into abandoned places so I’m sure I totally would because he’d likely pressure me into it(laughs again). Yeah, I would totally enter a creepy factory as long as it isn’t haunted.

3. How much does friendship mean to you?

It means a lot to me. I have a great group of friends whom I cherish. I know they are there for me like I am for them. There’s my girlfriend Melina who is also one of my best friends, she’s amazing and she’s also a great friend who is a great listener. My best friend Derek and I have been friends since like elementary school, he’s fun and most people don’t get him but I’m glad to call him a friend. Then there’s my friend Tasha who is Melina’s best friend. Tasha and I are cool, we aren’t as tight but I am glad to call her a friend. Friendship means a great deal to me as does family and in a lot of ways I feel like they are my family. It’s great to have friends because I don’t like being or feeling alone.

4. Who’s the most important person in your life?

Well I’m sure you can guess after the last question, that would be my girlfriend Melina. She’s my everything and she means the world to me. I’ve known her since sixth grade and we’ve been together since eighth grade when I asked her out on the bus during a field trip. Melina gets me, understands me and I’m so lucky to have her in my life and to be able to call her my girl. I’m not the jealous type so I know Melina has her guy friends and that’s fine and I totally trust her and I know I’m as important to her as she is to me. She truly is the most important person in my life and I think in a year or two I’d like to make her my wife.

5. If you were in a life or death situation how do you think you’d manage?

Wow that’s quite the question!(laughs). Damn, uh, I’m not sure. I’d like to think I’d hold my own, step up and take initiative and I’d make the right decisions although I don’t know how I’d find myself in a life or death situation. I live a casual and calm life so I imagine it would really make me think and even take a toll on me but in the end I would put money on me managing well and doing my best to make the right decisions for myself and anyone else involved.

6. What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?

I believe in aliens and I’m into the Roaring 20's. I know random right? I just find aliens fascinating and I believe that they exist, have been here and even walk among us not to sound like a nut or anything! And yeah the Roaring 20's just seems like it was such a fun and simple time to be alive. I may live it up like they did when it’s 2020(laughs) I’ll be styling and be all suave. I just really enjoy learning about the 20's.

Character Interview with Gustav Vandaldrake

1. What can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Gustav Vandaldrake and I am in the wax business. My business takes up most of my life as I don’t do much outside of it. Although when I’m not working my hobbies include stamp and rock collecting as well as listening to my vintage jazz collection, oh I do love my jazz! I have been married to my lovely wife Isabella for over 40 years and I cannot imagine life without her. I enjoy a good cup of coffee or joe as the young people like to call it these days. I enjoy cooking because my wife grew tired of always cooking for me(chuckles) and I am a very kind and gentle man. I enjoy making the most of life just as I did when I was younger and what is it they say? You’re only as young as you feel!

2. What exactly is a wax factory and what can you tell us about your business?

(Laughs) You certainly aren’t the first person to ask me this. Wax factories were popular back in the day in the early 1800's. From a general standpoint, regular wax factories served as places that made candles and candle accessories or they made wax within the factories and from there the wax was sent out to other places to be used as candles or your other basic wax needs.

The Wax Factory is a bit different you see, The Wax Factory didn’t just make candles nor do I in fact I intend to go by my great grandfather’s old creations. The Wax Factory here is bigger and broader. Here it deals with not just candles but everyday items and unique items all to be created from wax. The wax is made here, things are created from it and most of all it acted and will continue to act as a shop where people can come in to see what we have and buy these elaborate wax items. I’ve done a lot of reading on my great grandfather’s business from old books down in the basement and my vision is to make this place as authentic to how it was back in the day. Oh I’m giddy just thinking about it!

3. Care to tell us a little history on the town of Craven Hollow?

Oh heavens if I didn’t know any better I’d swear you’re asking me about the history of this town because I’m old! It’s quite alright, while I’m not a historian I do know a little bit about this town. Craven Hollow is one of the smallest towns in the state of New York. It was founded I want to say back in the 1600s? Not quite sure there and it for the most part has always been a quiet little town where people come to relax and get away from you know, the busy streets of New York. The city once had two big businesses, The Wax Factory and a fur trade business although if my memory serves me correct the fur business didn’t last long nor pan or as many had expected. It can be a bit eerie and odd in town if your not from Craven Hollow, people have told me that although I haven’t the slightest idea what they mean!(laughs). The town is peaceful and I also remember hearing something about a statue being built here and that Bartholemew Halbriar to whom the school is named after had part in it’s creation. Craven Hollow is a joyous place and has great history!

4. What is it about wax that you love so much?

I don’t love it half as much as I’m told my great grandfather did! It’s hard to explain but I guess in some ways wax reminds me of clay. It’s a thick material and it’s easy to work with, and many people only see it as what candles are made from but those people must not have big imaginations. I love wax because I love the vision and work my great grandfather put into the place and the passion he had for it and in many ways I think it got passed down onto me. I enjoy creating and wax is the material of my choice. It’s an underrated substance, it works nicely with fire and I just have a way with it that gives me a extraordinary feeling!

5. What do you know about your great grandfather Ghyslain?

What a lovely and kind man he was! Oh I remember my parents and my grandfather telling me about him and he fascinated me. He was a hard working man and he gave job opportunities to so many including woman. He loved just loved wax and he and his partner Edward Langston were quite the creators when it came to wax. My great grandfather was a visionary and I think in many ways was a big part in this town’s success. Without him people would not have had jobs and I just know he was a very generous and friendly man. He was the type of guy you’d want to know and would appreciate knowing.

6. Do you think young people will appreciate The Wax Factory?

Oh I hope they will! Oh how I hope they will. I’m not up to date with what young people of today like and don’t like but I at least hope that they will stop and check out the history of not only this factory but a key part of business within their city. I think those who enjoy history, like big old factories and like wax will enjoy the Wax Factory! I also plan on making part of the factory a museum but not all of it will be a museum, as I said before it’s going to be a place where people can come and buy things made of wax and I hope the young people of today will appreciate that and I don’t see why they wouldn’t.

Be sure to get your copy of The Wax Factory!