Ben Carter
Will & Baumer Candle Company, founded in 1855, was a prominent manufacturer of religious candles, particularly sought after by churches. The company, initially started by Anton Will in his backyard, expanded and moved to various locations over the years. However, its closure twelve years ago left many wondering about its current status. So, is Will & Baumer still in business, and if not, what happened to this longstanding company?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1855 |
| Founder | Anton Will |
| Location | Syracuse, New York |
| Specialization | Religious candles |
| Year closed Syracuse factory | 2010 |
| Year moved to Tennessee | 2010 |
| Number of jobs eliminated in Syracuse move | 25 |
| Current status | Operational |
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What You'll Learn
Will & Baumer's history
Will & Baumer was founded in 1855 by Anton Will, a Bavarian immigrant and carpenter who moved to Syracuse, New York, from Germany. Using his knowledge of candle manufacturing from Germany, Anton and his wife Rosina handcrafted high-quality liturgical candles in the basement of their home. Rosina personally inspected every lot of natural beeswax bought from local farmers to ensure the highest quality.
"The Will Company" was incorporated in 1855 and, within ten years, had moved from the family home to a new factory site outside of Syracuse. However, Anton Will's untimely death in 1866 left Rosina to run the business while raising their three young sons. In 1875, Rosina married Christian Eckerman, the owner of another candle company in Syracuse with ties to the Francis Baumer Candle Company, resulting in a family merger.
On July 6, 1896, the Will & Baumer Candle Co. was officially formed when the Eckerman and Will Candle Co. merged with the Francis Baumer Candle Co. The new company specialised in making religious candles, some of which were handmade. By 1910, Will & Baumer had opened a factory in Salina, which remained its base of operations for over a century.
The company continued to prosper in the early 20th century, and after the Second World War, Will & Baumer sought relationships with church goods dealers who promoted the brand, quality, and spiritual significance of beeswax candles. From its founding until 1972, ownership of the company remained within the Will, Baumer, and Eckerman families. During this time, Anton and Rosina's sons, Louis, Anthony, and Albert, built a strong company that successfully navigated the turmoil of the 20th century.
In more recent years, Will & Baumer has continued to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. In 2010, the company ended its 153-year legacy of manufacturing in Syracuse by relocating to Lewisburg, Tennessee. At the time, it was the oldest manufacturer in Onondaga County, employing 25 people, down from a much larger workforce in its heyday. Today, Jeffrey Fields, the present brand manager, is leading Will & Baumer forward while remaining mindful of its rich history.
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The company's relocation
Will & Baumer Candle Co. was founded in 1855 by Anton Will, a German carpenter who moved to Syracuse, New York. The company was first operated out of Will's basement and specialised in making religious candles by hand. Over the next decade, the business grew and moved to a new factory site outside of Syracuse. In 1896, the Eckerman and Will Candle Co. merged with the Francis Baumer Candle Co. to form Will & Baumer Candle Co.
In the early 1900s, the company moved to a facility on Park Street in Syracuse, where they remained for about 100 years. During this time, the company's ownership stayed within the Will, Baumer, and Eckerman families. In the early 2010s, Will & Baumer relocated to Lewisburg, Tennessee, ending 153 years of manufacturing in Syracuse. The company's former factory in Salina, Syracuse, was purchased by a Canadian company, Light 4 Life Candles, which planned to use the site to produce candles in high volume for the consumer market.
The relocation of Will & Baumer Candle Co. from Syracuse to Tennessee brought an end to the company's long history in the city. The company's origins date back to 1855 when Anton Will began making candles in his basement. Over time, the business expanded and moved to larger factory spaces, eventually settling in the Park Street facility for a significant portion of its history.
The move to Tennessee represented a significant shift for the company, leaving behind its roots in Syracuse. The former factory site in Salina covered 11.5 acres and consisted of several buildings, totalling 179,000 square feet. The new owners, Light 4 Life Candles, planned to invest in highly automated equipment to increase production volume and cater to the consumer market, a departure from Will & Baumer's focus on religious and liturgical candles.
The relocation also impacted the local community in Syracuse. With the departure of Will & Baumer and similar businesses in the area, there was a shrinking trend in the once-thriving candle industry. The move resulted in the loss of 25 local jobs, highlighting the economic impact on the region. The company's former factory, with its distinctive candle-painted chimney, held a unique place in the city's history and landscape.
Despite the relocation, Will & Baumer Candle Co.'s legacy in Syracuse endures. The company's former administration building on Park Street still bears the names of employees on its 560 timecard slots, a reminder of the company's presence during its heyday. The candle-painted chimney at the rear of the property remains a local landmark, visible to passing cars on the nearby Interstate 81. The site's new owners, Light 4 Life Candles, faced challenges in deciding the future of this iconic structure.
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The candle factory redevelopment
The Will & Baumer candle factory in Salina, Syracuse, is being redeveloped into a mixed-use complex named Urban Villages. The former factory consists of 11 buildings totalling 179,000 square feet, with exteriors of brick, concrete and metal. The redevelopment plans involve de-coupling the buildings and re-cladding their exteriors to give each one a unique identity. Up to three new buildings will also be constructed, while the existing shed-like buildings at the rear of the property will be retained for covered parking.
The redevelopment is being undertaken by a local family business that owns 600 apartments in the Syracuse area, including 200 in Salina. The unique location of the property, just outside the city limits but still in the suburbs, makes it an attractive prospect for tenants. All tenants will be able to park their vehicles in basement garages or in the shed-like buildings at the rear of the property.
The Will & Baumer candle factory was founded in 1855 by Anton Will, a carpenter who moved to Syracuse from Germany. The company specialised in religious candles, some of which were handmade. The factory in Salina opened around 1910 and was the oldest manufacturer in Onondaga County when it closed 12 years ago, employing 25 people. A Canadian company, Light 4 Life Candles, began operating in one of the buildings in 2010 but has since left.
The redevelopment of the Will & Baumer candle factory is expected to bring new life to the area and create new opportunities for local businesses and residents.
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The impact on Syracuse's candle industry
Will & Baumer was a significant player in Syracuse's candle industry, with a long history dating back to 1855 when it was founded by Anton Will, a German carpenter. The company specialized in religious candles, some of which were handcrafted with natural beeswax. Over the years, it changed locations within Syracuse and even merged with other candle companies to form Will & Baumer Candle Co. in 1896.
However, in recent years, the company's impact on Syracuse's candle industry has diminished. In 2010, Will & Baumer moved out of Syracuse to a new plant in Lewisburg, Tennessee, ending 153 years of church candle-making in the area. This move resulted in the loss of 25 local jobs, contributing to a shrinking trend in Syracuse's once-thriving candle industry.
The former Will & Baumer candle factory in Salina, Syracuse, was purchased by a Canadian company, Light 4 Life Candles LLC, which planned to use the site for high-volume consumer candle production. This bucked the trend of decline in the local candle industry, with the company estimating it would create 60 jobs within three years, including potential opportunities for former Will & Baumer employees.
While Will & Baumer's departure from Syracuse marked a shift in the local candle industry, the company's legacy remains. The distinctive candle-painted chimney at the rear of the old factory has become a local landmark, and the site's new owners plan to redevelop the buildings while preserving their unique character.
Overall, Will & Baumer's impact on Syracuse's candle industry is undeniable, both during its long history in the area and after its departure. The company's expertise in religious candles and its ability to navigate the challenges of the 20th century left a lasting impression on the local industry, even as Syracuse's candle-making tradition evolved with new businesses and developments.
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The future of the brand
Will & Baumer, the candle company founded in 1855, has a rich history. From its early beginnings in the basement of Anton Will's home to its expansion over the years, the company has left its mark on the candle industry, especially in Syracuse. However, with changing times and shifting trends, the company closed its factory in Salina, marking an end to its long legacy in Syracuse.
The future of the Will & Baumer brand lies in its ability to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. With the candle industry facing a decline, the company moved to a new plant in Lewisburg, Tennessee, in 2010, ending its long history in Syracuse. This relocation signified a shift in focus and a willingness to cater to a broader market.
The Lewisburg plant allows the company to continue its candle-making tradition while tapping into new markets and expanding its reach. Under the leadership of the current brand manager, Jeffrey Fields, Will & Baumer aims to meet the evolving needs of today's churches and adapt its products to modern demands.
While the company's heritage lies in handcrafted, high-quality liturgical candles, the future may bring a shift towards automation and higher production volumes. This strategy is evident in the $3.49 million investment by Light 4 Life Candles LLC, which aims to utilize highly automated equipment to produce vessel-filled candles in high volumes for the consumer market.
The redevelopment of the former Will & Baumer candle factory in Salina into a mixed-use complex named Urban Villages also signals a new chapter for the brand. By preserving the historic nature of the site while introducing modern elements, the company's legacy will continue to live on in a new form.
In conclusion, while Will & Baumer's physical presence may have shifted, the brand remains committed to its roots and is evolving to meet the needs of a changing market. Through strategic relocations, investments, and a focus on adaptability, the company is positioning itself for long-term sustainability and success in the modern era.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Will & Baumer is still in business. The company moved to a new plant in Lewisburg, Tennessee, in 2010, ending 153 years of candle-making in Syracuse, New York.
Will & Baumer specializes in religious and liturgical candles, some of which are handmade.
From its founding in 1855 until 1972, ownership of Will & Baumer remained within the Will, Baumer, and Eckerman families. Today, the present brand manager is Jeffrey Fields.
