My wife and I spent a great deal of time talking with the delightful lady who ran the operation--note past tense: this past Saturday was her LAST. The soap will be made through the end of October by another delightful lady who had previously been assigned as a choclateer.
Lye is a problem: it is regulated in just about any amount because of the blasted meth makers.
The retiring citizen made it clear that she did not know what was going to happen to the operation, which leaves me some hope that it will return.
We asked what her operation made last year, and she was not reluctant to tell us--I just don't know how broadly the number should be publicized. BUT I can say with NO DOUBT that it was a large enough number to make my jaw drop. The revenue from Lye Soap was well past the middle of 5 figures. That ain't chump change!
We bought 3 logs to get us through the winter, but it is possible that the operation WILL return. Let us make our voices heard!
