Feb 1, 2024 2 min read

Tim Bombash says he is cleaning up — which is appropriate for a man who is awash in soap.

“I’m making soap in the garage and have a garage full of it,” said Bombash, sole owner of Bombash Botanical Skincare Co. in Peters Township. “I should pinch myself. Things are going really well and get better every year. I look to increase manufacturing and maybe have a few more storefronts.”

Bombash has been in business at 628 E. McMurray Road for nearly nine years, selling soaps, bath bombs, bath powders, scrubs, body washes, moisturizers, CBD products and various other items. The shop also provides eye treatments and care for lips and nails and sells candles for weddings.

Bombash Botanical says on its website: “We use only the finest quality botanical ingredients that are naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to nourish your skin from the inside out.”

The store, he said, has 10 to 12 employees, with “more around the holidays.”

The owner is pleased that he and his shop are on a roll, which isn’t related to the fact that he lives in Peters and “I often ride my skateboard on (the Montour) Trail to the store.”

Bombash Botanical relies on another mode of transportation, which has proven to be fortuitous.

“I also do a lot of business from a truck,” Tim said. The store makes deliveries and participates in festivals and other events, including birthday parties for kids. “We teach a kid how to make six bath bombs,” the owner said, laughing.

Bombash, who grew up in the Eighty Four neighborhood in North Strabane Township, said, “There are a bunch of reasons that I got into this.” He said he went “full monty” on soaps and did well, then started to expand his product lines.

“It’s a very hands-on business,” said Bombash, who has renovated the showroom and is formulating plans to expand. “We’re concentrating this year on growth. We’ll see what the future brings here.”

He declined to elaborate on what that growth may entail as he mulls over ideas but did say, “We do get a lot of orders from the North Hills and from online customers.”

Bombash Botanical is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The shop phone number is 724-949-9363.