Ariana & Evans Opens its Heart: A Meetup Retrospective
- Teutonblade
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Ariana & Evans hosted a meet-up on June 7 at their showroom and production facility in Ansonia, Connecticut. I arrived a little late—the weather on the drive up was less than kind—but the moment I stepped inside I felt like Charlie walking into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. The vibe was warm and convivial, almost like a house party, and every surface was stacked with gorgeously packaged soaps and splashes. I was a kid in a candy store.
Before I could take it all in, the chief “candy maker” himself, Peter Charkalis, bounded over with an outstretched hand. His easy warmth made it seem as though we were old friends—family, even.
Still beaming, Peter whisked my family and me off on a tour. In the break room we found none other than rising superstar Doug Layne of Adopted Acres. Few artisans have created so much buzz so quickly: in just five months Doug has rolled out hits like Mint Cherry Barbershop, Homestead Barbershop, Emerald Leprechaun, Rookie Card, Texas Spirit, Pineapple Under the Sea, and Royal Bloom. He may be a rookie in soapmaking, but he has the nose of a master, blending scent notes as if he’s been doing it his whole life.
Ever the fanboy, I had to get a photo with Doug—and I couldn’t leave without scooping up a set of Royal Bloom, an intoxicating blend of geranium, lemon, pear, Bulgarian rose, peony, oud, vanilla, cashmere wood, and patchouli.
Right beside Doug stood Joe Dean of Subtle Art Soap, his table lined with an enticing array of creations. We chatted briefly about his years in the Coast Guard and how a casual passion for wet shaving had blossomed into a full-fledged business. One set in particular caught my eye: Following Seas. Its label features a vintage nautical chart from Joe’s own collection, and the fragrance itself is a fresh, blue-aquatic blend of bergamot, grapefruit, jasmine, geranium, rosemary, lavender, musk, sandalwood, and patchouli. Resistance was futile—I promptly added the set to my haul.
Peter couldn’t wait to show us the rest of the operation. After weaving through the storeroom, we stepped into the beating heart of Ariana & Evans—Peter’s design laboratory.
This is where the magic happens. He spoke of how he and his daughter, Thalia, spend long days here researching scent profiles and refining ingredient blends—cheering each other on, swapping notes, and offering honest feedback. As he spoke about Thalia, the pride and affection he feels for her practically radiated from him.
From there, Peter led us to another essential part of the alchemy—the soap kettles!
On our way back through the break room, we bumped into another community star—Mike from Long Island Shaving.
One of the day’s highlights was meeting up with my good friend Mark Albert—whom I first met on Badger & Blade—at the event. Here we are, poised at the register with armfuls of goodies, while Thalia rings us up and graciously snaps the photo.
Afterward, Peter kicked off a raffle that sent at least a dozen prizes—soaps, accessories, and more—into eager hands. Fortune smiled on me: I took home a B1 Lancer razor.
The day flew by, and I didn’t speak with nearly as many attendees as I’d hoped. I did manage a quiet moment with Peter’s wife, Evelyn, who shared a few heartfelt words about her devotion to Ariana & Evans and its mission. Her sincerity, kindness, and warmth spoke louder than any words: that everyone at Ariana & Evans approaches their work with love and a deep appreciation for the community. And although some may think that the heart of Ariana & Evans is back in Peter’s lab, or in the soap kettles, or even spread out as seen here on the table in the main display room....
The real heart of Ariana & Evans is here...
It’s in Peter, Thalia, and Evelyn. It’s in the love they feel for each other. It’s in the love they have for their craft and the wet shaving community.
When the festivities wrapped up, a small, intrepid group followed Peter, Thalia, and Evelyn across the street to a cozy wine bar for dinner and story-swapping. It was the perfect capstone to a day of discovery, camaraderie, and most of all, heart. I headed home feeling richer for the experience—and with a respectable haul of loot to prove it.
Thank you Peter, Thalia, Evelyn, and the entire Ariana & Evans team.
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What an excellent time it was! Great to meet everybody!
Great event. Peter’s success story serves as an inspiration!