Business with Local Roots, in Expansion Mode, Makes it Official with Meadowbrook Mall Ribbon Cutting
By Jeff Toquinto on May 09, 2025
The newest business at Meadowbrook Mall has local origins and is in expansion mode. And on Friday, that local business made it official with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce.
Bubble & Fizz Mountain Apothecary, situated in the space previously occupied by Sudsberry (relocated on Fourth Street in Clarksburg), is now offering its goods to the public. And they have been offering their goods at other locations as well.
Among those on hand was store owner Brandon Mathess. Mathess talked about the start of the business, other sites, and how things have grown.
“Our original store is at the Middletown Commons in White Hall,” said Mathess. “This was a home-based business for many years, but we expanded into our White Hall location in 2023.
“This year, we decided to push for growth, and we found this space here at Meadowbrook Mall,” Mathess continued. “We also have expanded into five of the West Virginia State Parks this year.”
The state parks include Blackwater Falls, Cass Scenic Railroad, Hawks Nest, Cacapon Resort, and Cooper’s Rock State Parks.
The store offers hand-crafted home and body fragrances, bath, and skin care essentials such as hand and body lotions. As Matthess noted, it 
began as a home-based operation and started with the making and selling of soy candles that were sold at craft shows and has expanded into making soaps and offering multiple items for sale.
began as a home-based operation and started with the making and selling of soy candles that were sold at craft shows and has expanded into making soaps and offering multiple items for sale.
For those wondering how the products are made, they can do one or two things. They can ask Mathess or any member of his staff. Or they can actually watch the products being made.
“We make everything completely from scratch in our store,” said Mathess. “… While you’re shopping you can actually watch us make items in the back. Everything is out in the open and there are no hidden ingredients. You can see, start to finish, how the product is made.”
To contact the store, call 304-694-9298. It is located directly across from the vacant RUE 21 space, which is one of the few vacant store fronts in the entire mall. The store is open seven days a week and during regular Meadowbrook Mall hours.
Editor's Note: Top photo is of the ribbon set to be cut, while shoppers are shown looking at the in-store made products, as well as West Virginia-based shirts that are for sale.
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