Indulge yourself this spring with luxurious and natural grooming and bath products from The Soap Opera. This beloved store located on State Street in Madison has been in business for over 50 years! Stacey Scannell, the current owner of The Soap Opera, is a multitasker who wears many hats to ensure the smooth running of the store. Stacey manages the daily operations, product creation, purchasing, customer service, website design, online orders, hiring, and more. We had the opportunity to learn about the history behind The Soap Opera and take a closer look at the store.
Two art students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison founded The Soap Opera in 1972. They aimed to offer high-end grooming and bathing products and fine European-style apothecary items in the city they loved. They quickly built a loyal fan base through their custom perfumes, colognes, and exceptional customer service. In 2016, Stacey, a loyal customer and a Madison community enthusiast, bought the business. She has since kept The Soap Opera's delightful experience alive.
With their unique style and an extensive range of products and services, The Soap Opera stands out in the beauty industry. Their organic handmade products can be custom-scented to create a one-of-a-kind experience, and their exceptional one-on-one customer service is second to none. They also use eco-friendly packaging and are committed to making their store and website 100% green powered. In 2020, they switched almost all their plastic packaging to biodegradable wheat straw, recyclable glass, and metal or aluminum. Customers can even bring the bottles back and refill them at a discounted price! All their ingredients are natural and safe to use.
In addition to quality products, The Soap Opera offers a range of services. Private Custom Scenting parties are popular, and groups of four or more can create their own fragrance while enjoying delicious hors d'oeuvres in the gorgeous courtyard. If you prefer to explore on your own, visit during open hours to create custom scents at their scenting counter, make custom sugar or salt body scrubs at their scrub station, or mix up a custom sachet of dried herbs at their herb bar. The most popular times for their customers to create custom products are for Mother’s Day and during the Dane County Farmers Market.
As part of the Madison community for over 50 years, The Soap Opera gives back by donating to over ten local organizations monthly. They also provide lip balms and soaps to those in need and contribute their products to silent auction items to raise funds. Stacey is involved in downtown organizations such as GSSBA (Greater State Street Business Association) to ensure a vibrant downtown environment for people to enjoy. She takes pride in keeping her long-term customers satisfied and maintaining The Soap Opera's nostalgia. Despite the modern changes made to the website, inventory system, and new products, their loyal customers have stayed true to The Soap Opera. Stacey hopes that The Soap Opera remains a must-smell State Street destination.