About Bubbles
Bubbles has been making our own products by hand in Arcata, California for over 51 years!
Bubbles opened in January, 1973. But Bubbles was not the original name. Our first idea was to name the store in honor of the Roman Bath House, the Balnerium. We had rented a location at 1023 H Street in Arcata and obtained a business license for The Balnerium. Several weeks prior to opening, a friend named Ron Klein sat us down and suggested we change the name. He said he was concerned about us and the business. He was afraid no one would come into the store because no one knew what a Balnerium was and thought we were doomed to failure. He suggested we change the name to Bubbles. I laughed at his idea because I thought no one would take us seriously. But he insisted, saying that Bubbles is really a serious name. As he explained, What is an atom, a proton, a neutron? What is the makeup of all elements, compounds, and living creatures? What are planets, moons, and all the elements in the solar system but Bubbles? Bubbles create everything that we know. It is very important and I should take the idea very seriously. All this in addition to the frothy fun we were selling. So the store became Bubbles.
The original Art Deco logo was created by another friend, Jim Cherry. Jeanette Cruz modified the design to open it up and make the letters look more like Bubbles. We chose the color scheme of turquoise-blue on white to emphasize that most of our products are used with water.
From the very beginning, our goal has always been to encourage people to feel good about themselves. What better way than providing people with the best in soaps and body care products?
We are proud to offer only the finest soaps, lotions, oils and hair care products created with the finest natural ingredients and essential oils.
Our retail store opened in 1973 in historic downtown Arcata. In 1974 we moved next door, to the same location you will still find us in today: 1031 H St, Arcata, CA 95521. We are located two blocks north of the Plaza on H Street right next to the Minor Theater, the country's oldest continually operating movie theater.
Service you won't find anywhere else:
- We will refill any clean bottle and give you 25% off!
- All of your favorite Bubbles skin and hair care products are available with the fragrance of your choice. Choose from the 79 standard scents, our Deluxe True Oil fragrances, or the popular Specialty China fragrances.
Many of our customers have been with us for a long time. Maybe you grew up in Arcata and shopped here as a child, or perhaps you found us during your days attending Humboldt State University (now California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt). However you came to be here, we invite you to take a stroll down memory lane in our online Memory Book.
If you have your own Bubbles memories to contribute to the gallery, contact us!