Brooke Martin
Colonial Candle, the first woman-owned candle company founded in 1909 by Mabel Baker, is closing its retail shops and factory in Cape Cod. The company has a legacy of over a century of craftsmanship, creating scented and unscented candles with exceptional quality. Blyth Inc., the parent company of Colonial Candle, has decided to shut down the Hyannis factory and move operations to a larger plant in Batavia, Illinois, due to economic considerations. This decision has resulted in the loss of 40 jobs and saddened nearby store owners and employees who cherished the Cape Cod mainstay. While Colonial Candles will still be available at other retailers, the closure marks a significant change for the community and an end to the local production of a beloved candle brand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of closing down | 2011 |
| Month of closing down | January |
| Number of workers laid off | 40 |
| Square footage of the factory | 69,000 |
| Location of the factory | Hyannis |
| Company that owns Colonial Candle | Blyth |
| Location of the new facility | Batavia, Illinois |
| Other location of Blyth facility | Elkin, North Carolina |
| Number of retail shops shuttered | 2 |
| Number of candles sold under the Colonial brand name annually | 60 million |
| Number of stores selling Colonial brand candles in the US | 14,000 |
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What You'll Learn
- Colonial Candle closed its Hyannis factory in 2011
- The closure resulted in 40 job losses
- The company still sold 60 million candles under the Colonial brand name annually
- The candles were produced at facilities in Batavia, Illinois, and Elkin, North Carolina
- The closure was due to the inefficiencies of the Hyannis location
Colonial Candle closed its Hyannis factory in 2011
Colonial Candle, the first woman-owned candle company, founded in 1909 by Mabel Baker, closed its Hyannis factory in 2011. The company shut down its 69,000 square-foot factory, laying off 40 workers. The factory closure was met with dismay by local merchants, who considered it a Hyannis mainstay and a landmark.
The decision to close the factory was made by Blyth, the parent company of Colonial Candle, due to the inefficiencies and economic disadvantages of producing products in that location. Blyth had been reducing output at the plant in the years leading up to the closure, and in 2001, they offered 30 employees voluntary buyout packages. The candles produced in the Hyannis factory were distributed through direct selling channels and were not sold under the Colonial brand name.
Despite the closure of the Hyannis factory, Colonial brand candles continued to be produced at larger facilities in Batavia, Illinois, and Elkin, North Carolina. Blyth continued to sell these candles through various retailers, and they remained available at 21 other retail stores on Cape Cod.
The closure of the Hyannis factory marked a significant change for the company, which had a long history on Cape Cod, dating back to its founding by Mabel Baker in 1909. The factory had undergone expansions over the years, and at its peak, the company employed over 500 people and operated a $40 million business. However, by 2011, the decision to consolidate production to more efficient locations ultimately led to the closure of the Hyannis factory.
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The closure resulted in 40 job losses
Colonial Candle of Cape Cod, founded in 1909 by Mabel Baker, was the first woman-owned candle company. The company was a significant employer on Cape Cod, with 180 employees in 1969 and over 300 during peak periods. In 1988, Colonial Candle employed 500 people and operated a $40 million business.
However, in 2011, the company made the decision to shut down its 69,000-square-foot Hyannis factory, resulting in the loss of 40 jobs. The closure was attributed to the challenges of operating in a location that was not ideal for manufacturing and distribution. According to Jane Casey, vice president for investor relations at Blyth, the parent company of Colonial Candle, the decision was based on the "efficiencies and economics" of producing the products in a different location.
The closure of the Hyannis factory was not the first time Colonial Candle had faced setbacks. In 2001, the company offered 30 employees voluntary buyout packages, and in the same year, they gave out free candles after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Despite these difficulties, the Colonial Candle brand remained strong, with over 60 million candles sold annually in more than 14,000 stores across the United States.
While the factory closure resulted in job losses, the Colonial Candle products continued to be available at 21 other retail stores on Cape Cod. The candles were produced at larger facilities in Batavia, Illinois, and Elkin, North Carolina, owned by Blyth Inc. The company assured that the store closures were unrelated to the product quality, and the Colonial of Cape Cod brand would still be available through other retailers.
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The company still sold 60 million candles under the Colonial brand name annually
Colonial Candle of Cape Cod was the first woman-owned candle company, founded by Mabel Baker in 1909. The company has been burning brightly in American homes for over a century. In 2011, Colonial Candle closed its 69,000 square-foot Hyannis factory and laid off 40 workers. This was due to the inefficiencies of producing candles in that location, and the fact that the factory had not been the site of Colonial brand candle production for years. The Colonial brand candles were being produced in much larger facilities in Batavia, Illinois, and Elkin, North Carolina, by Blyth, Colonial's corporate parent.
Despite the closure of the Hyannis factory, the company still sold 60 million candles under the Colonial brand name annually. This is a testament to the enduring popularity of the brand and the quality of their candles. Colonial Candle offers a wide variety of scented and unscented candles, made with premium wax and 100% cotton wicks. Their candles are known for their enchanting fragrances and long-lasting burn.
The closure of the Hyannis factory was not the end of Colonial Candle as a business. Blyth continued to sell Colonial brand candles through various retailers, and the company still has a strong online presence. While the factory closure may have been a disappointment to local merchants and employees, it was a necessary business decision to ensure the continued success and efficiency of the company.
Colonial Candle has a rich history and has been a beloved part of Cape Cod for many years. While the company has had to adapt and make changes, including closing the Hyannis factory, they continue to carry on the legacy of Mabel Baker and her passion for candle-making. The annual sales of 60 million Colonial brand candles demonstrate the company's ongoing success and the loyalty of their customer base.
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The candles were produced at facilities in Batavia, Illinois, and Elkin, North Carolina
Colonial Candle of Cape Cod was the first woman-owned candle company, founded by Mabel Baker in 1909. In 2011, the company shut down its 69,000-square-foot Hyannis factory, laying off 40 workers. While this marked the end of Colonial Candle's manufacturing operations on Cape Cod, the company's candles were still being produced at larger facilities in Batavia, Illinois, and Elkin, North Carolina, owned by their corporate parent, Blyth Inc.
The decision to close the Hyannis factory was driven by economic and efficiency considerations, as producing the candles at alternative locations made more sense from a manufacturing standpoint. Blyth Inc., a home accessories company with a global presence, generated over $1 billion in worldwide sales in 2003. The closure of the Hyannis factory resulted in the loss of 40 jobs, with affected employees offered severance packages that included base pay and additional compensation based on their length of service with the company.
Despite the closure of the Hyannis factory, Colonial Candles remained available at 21 other retail stores on Cape Cod. Local merchants and neighbouring businesses expressed sadness over the closure, acknowledging the factory's long-standing presence in the community. The store closures also signalled the changing times on Cape Cod, marking the end of Colonial Candle's century-long association with the region.
The Colonial Candle brand continued to thrive, with over 60 million candles sold annually in more than 14,000 stores across the United States. While the candles were no longer made on Cape Cod, they upheld their reputation for quality and craftsmanship. The production of Colonial Candles at the Batavia and Elkin facilities ensured the brand's legacy continued, even as the company adapted to evolving market demands and distribution challenges.
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The closure was due to the inefficiencies of the Hyannis location
The Colonial Candle Company of Cape Cod, founded in 1909 by Mabel Baker, was the first woman-owned candle company. In 2011, the company made the decision to close its 69,000-square-foot Hyannis factory, resulting in the loss of 40 jobs. This closure was attributed to the inefficiencies of the Hyannis location, as stated by Jane Casey, vice president of investor relations at Blyth, the parent company of Colonial Candle.
According to Casey, the closure was a result of the "efficiencies and economics" of producing the products in alternative locations. Blyth had been reducing output at the Hyannis plant for years, and the candles manufactured there were not sold under the Colonial brand name. Instead, they were distributed through direct selling channels to professional event planners. The Hyannis location was also not ideal for manufacturing and distribution due to its geographical limitations.
The closure of the Hyannis factory severed the final true ties of the Colonial Candle Company to the Cape Cod region, as the Colonial-branded candles were now being produced in Batavia, Illinois, and Elkin, North Carolina. Despite the disappointment expressed by local merchants and nearby store owners, the closure of the Hyannis location did not impact the sales of Colonial Candles. The products continued to be available at 21 other retail stores on the Cape, including The Kandy Korner in Hyannis, Village Trading Company in Mashpee, and Gift Barn in North Eastham.
While the Hyannis factory closure marked a significant change for the Colonial Candle Company, the brand continued to thrive through its retail partners and direct selling channels. The decision to consolidate manufacturing to more efficient locations allowed the company to streamline its operations and focus on its core strengths. This strategic move ensured the longevity and competitiveness of the Colonial Candle brand in the marketplace.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Colonial Candle is not going out of business. However, in 2011, the company did shut down its 69,000-square-foot Hyannis factory, laying off 40 workers and closing two retail shops in the region.
The decision to close the Hyannis factory was made due to the inefficiencies and economic disadvantages of the location. Blyth Inc., the parent company of Colonial Candle, offered severance packages to the affected employees.
Yes, Colonial Candles are still available at various retail stores on Cape Cod, such as The Kandy Korner in Hyannis, Village Trading Company in Mashpee, and Gift Barn in North Eastham. The candles are also sold through other retailers by Blyth, the company that owns Colonial of Cape Cod.
