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SiG MT 16 URBAN AFFAIRS Neighborhoods Madame Mustache's Bathhouse: Meet the New Mesdames in Town S MT While the term "madame" has long been associated with houses of ill-repute, a modern-day madame describes a businesswoman. Fort Benton's imaginative mesdames are Jayna Romine and Stacia Fuzesy. ey may be new to the community, but like their namesake, they sure are fashioning a name for themselves. "Madame Mustache was a card dealer," says Romine. "She heard about this boat carrying smallpox and went out with her guns. is boat wasn't landing in her town! She was someone who made herself part of the community. We've done that too." Bonding over a love of craing and making soaps, Romine and Fusezy's hobby of soap-making is quickly evolving into a full-fledged business. Fort Benton, MT "When you live in a place like this, you use local as much as you can," says Fuzesy. "We are going to make a hairy vetch soap, which sounds horrible but it's this prey purple flower." "We use Old Bridge Coffee, Golden Triangle beer and spent grains, and honey from Yirsa Farms," says Romine. "e lemongrass, rosemary, and lavender are grown in my backyard. My kids and husband forage for the juniper berries and coonwood bark." Madame Mustache's soaps are available for sale at several Fort Benton locations and via orders on Facebook. ey also offer custom soaps for events such as bridal showers, baby showers, and weddings. "It's $65 for 10 custom soaps. You have to order ten because that's the size of the loaf pan we use," says Romine. "We can do whatever scent you want, color, additives, and we have custom labels." "It's not work for us," says Fuzesy. "It's fun for us. When things get crazy, we say, 'We need a soap night!'" Tips: • Custom orders take 6 weeks to complete. • If you have an idea for a soap, message them on Facebook! • Feedback is important. Let the mesdames know what you like about their product. With a line of 27 soaps and more on the way, its' hard to choose a favorite. Fuzesy chooses Yer' Face-a charcoal and clay soap that is gentle on her skin. When they're not making soap, you'll find Romine (Left) and Fuzesy (Right) running the animal shelter or working on the farmers' market committee. Many soaps have "colorful" names to match the colorful character of Madame Mustache herself!