Buy some soap or make your own at Collingswood store

Donna Pixton-Hacker’s son was born almost 19 years ago with an allergy to even hypoallergenic soaps.

After washing him with just warm water for a while, and finding handmade soaps expensive for everyday use, she discovered a recipe for herbal soaps in a shop near her Sacramento, Calif., home. And that’s how, shortly after her son was born, her passion for homemade soap was born, too.

Not content to just sell her creations, she’s been teaching others to make their own soaps for years. Since moving to South Jersey in 2009, Pixton-Hacker has offered soaps, candles, lotions and spa products out of her Mount Laurel garage and at area farmer’s markets and craft fairs, too.

After being laid off from her executive assistant job in June, Pixton-Hacker decided to plunge into her hobby full-time. Chamomile Cottage Soaps & Gifts is coming to 686 Haddon Ave. in Collingswood .

The store will feature Pixton-Hacker’s creations, but also host classes in soap and candle making, creating a personal fragrance and more. There will be themes including mother and child classes, “Bubble ‘n’ Babes BYOB,” “Buds ‘n’ Suds BYOB” (for the guys), father-daughter classes and date nights for couples.

Chamomile Cottage will open Aug. 13 with a weekend of grand opening giveaways, raffles and more. The first 25 customers will receive a goodie bag and door prizes include classes, kids parties and products.

For more information, go to www.chamomilecottage.com or call (877) 339-7627.

Giant Fitness, the South Jersey-based gym with locations in Lindenwold, Woodbury, Gloucester Township, Delran and Mount Laurel, is coming to Mount Ephraim.

Tentatively scheduled to open after Labor Day, Giant Fitness will take over the building on the Black Horse Pike behind the McDonald’s that once held Flynn & O’Hara Uniforms and a long-vacant bar/restaurant called Bubba Dean’s.

Look for more Giant Fitness locations, too: Once Mount Ephraim is open, another will open in Northeast Philadelphia and the company has begun franchising as well.

For more information, including membership pre-sale information for the Mount Ephraim location, visit www.giantfitnessclubs.com

CooperTowne Center in Somerdale continues to add new businesses.

The center, with anchors including a Walmart, Cinemark Theatres and LA Fitness, also includes an Applebee’s and recently added 1000 Degrees Pizza and Yogo Factory, which share a storefront.

Soon to come, according to site manager National Realty & Development Corp.: Pet Valu, which calls itself the largest pet food and supplies retailer in North America; and a full-service nail salon. Both are slated to open in the fall.

ALDI, the discount grocery store with locations in Collingswood, Maple Shade, Marlton, Mount Laurel, Edgewater Park, Stratford, Lumberton and Cherry Hill, is hosting hiring fairs at four locations in the Philadelphia area Aug. 5.

Events will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at stores in Trenton (2735 S. Broad St.), Bellmawr (156 West Browning Road), Bordentown (262 C Route 130) and at the Franklin Mills Mall in Philadelphia. The company is hiring store associates, shift managers and management trainees.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Phaedra Trethan: (856) 486-2417; ptrethan@gannettnj.com