RICHLAND TWP., Pa. – The only Bucks County location of a national retailer – known for its products made from plant-based ingredients – has permanently closed.
The Quakertown area location of Buff City Soap, a company offering “delightfully fragrant,” plant-based soaps that are handmade daily in stores, has permanently closed at 218 N. West End Blvd. in Richland Township, according to an announcement posted Monday on the store’s Facebook page.
“Our Soap Makery is now permanently CLOSED,” the post reads. “Please continue to shop at our other Buff City Soap Makeries, or shop online at buffcitysoap.com!”
The announcement refers customers to other Buff City Soap locations in Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County and Brick Township, New Jersey.
It’s unclear what led to the Quakertown area store’s closure.
A company representative did not immediately return a message seeking comment, including a reason for the closure.
The announcement came as a surprise to some customers and community members.
“Why?!” one person commented on the store’s closing announcement. “There wasn’t even a heads up about this!”
“A heads up would have been nice so we could stock up!!!” another person stated in the comments section.
"I'm super disappointed as well!!!" another person wrote. "We swore by that laundry soap. very sad. With no warning at all. I was just there two weeks ago and it was normal business."
Buff City Soap stores, which the Texas-based company labels "makeries," are on a mission "to create handmade products that are free of harsh ingredients and full of nourishing plant based goodness."
Customers can shop handmade soap bars, bath bombs, bath truffles, foaming hand soaps, epsom salt soaks, whipped body butters, body scrubs, shower oils, beard balms and oil, laundry soap and more.
"Each [bar of soap] is truly unique," a message on the business' website reads. "1 of 1. Just like you!"
Buff City Soap, which was founded in 2013 and started franchising in 2018, also invites individuals to book events - children's birthday parties, ladies nights out, date nights and more, where guests can make their own bath bombs at a makery.
The company has grown rapidly over the past several years, with more than 230 Buff City Soap stores operating nationwide, according to the business' website.
The Richland Township location opened in March 2023.
A Lehigh Valley location, which opened in November 2022, continues to operate in the Airport Shopping Center in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.