Getting Clean: Upscale Soap Maker Opening in Red Hook

Chalk up another interesting business for Red Hook. Boutique soap maker Saipua, orginally of the Hudson Valley, which makes all natural olive oil soap, is opening a retail outlet at 392 Van Brunt on August 26, its first NYC retail space. The 250 square foot boutique will feature Saipua's soaps, plus flowers and some other products. According to Soap Wire, the Red Hook location "will serve as the hub for Saipua’s wholesale business while offering a location for retail customers to peruse the large selection of soaps in person and consult on custom soap orders. The storefront-lab will operate thematically and change with the seasons. The shop’s launch will focus on the owners’ Finnish heritage and sauna obsession."

"Sauna obsession"? In any case, Saipua soaps are made off food-grade vegetable oils, butters, herbs and extracts. Each bar is hand cut, cured, and wrapped in hand-stamped papers. Saipua products are currently sold in small boutiques across the US. Saipua is a mother-daughter-boyfriend and sometimes father and sister team. The word is derived from the Finnish word for soap.

Sud's up, Red Hook.