Brooke Martin
Aspen Bay Candles, a candle-making business that started in 1991 in Starkville, was previously owned by two separate companies, Thymes and DPM Fragrance. These companies merged in 2016 to form CURiO Brands, which is now headquartered in Minneapolis. In February 2023, CURiO Brands announced that it would cease production at its Lynn Lane plant in Starkville, laying off 27 employees. This decision came about due to disagreements over a new lease with the prospective new property owner, Castle Properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Aspen Bay Candles was established | 1991 |
| Year Aspen Bay Candles was sold and renamed | 1990 |
| Aspen Bay Candles' parent company | CURiO Brands |
| Date CURiO Brands announced the cessation of production at its Lynn Lane plant | February 16, 2023 |
| Number of employees laid off | 27 |
| Date employees were laid off | February 28, 2023 |
| Reason for cessation of production | Disagreements on a new lease with the prospective new property owner, Castle Properties |
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What You'll Learn
- Aspen Bay Candles was sold and renamed in 1990
- Tom Reed purchased the company in 2001 after it ran into trouble
- DPM Fragrance, which owned Aspen Bay Candles, merged with Thymes to form CURiO
- CURiO Brands ceased production at its Starkville plant in 2023
- CURiO's decision to close the plant was due to a disagreement over a new lease
Aspen Bay Candles was sold and renamed in 1990
Aspen Bay Candles was established in 1990 when the company Candles by Bert was sold, moved to Starkville, and renamed. The product line was expanded to include jar candles and candles moulded to resemble pinecones, acorns, and other shapes.
Aspen Bay Candles was then purchased by Tom Reed in 2001. Reed was a partner in a business that manufactured packaging machinery and later in one that produced private label candles. Reed said of the purchase:
> "Aspen Bay Candles had run into trouble. [...] There was a brand and brand awareness. I intended to move the factory to Indiana, but I came to realize I had the better employees at the facility here."
DPM Fragrance, the company formed after the sale of Candles by Bert, has an international reach. It works with fragrance houses to develop a variety of scents, and its designers produce flat drawings and three-dimensional models of candle vessels. In 2016, DPM Fragrance merged with Thymes to form CURiO Brands, which is headquartered in Minneapolis.
In February 2023, CURiO Brands announced that it would cease production at its Starkville plant and lay off 27 employees. The company stated that the decision was due to disagreements with the new property owner, Castle Properties, over a new lease.
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Tom Reed purchased the company in 2001 after it ran into trouble
Tom Reed, a businessman from Georgia, purchased Aspen Bay Candles in 2001 after the company ran into financial trouble. Reed was a partner in a business that manufactured packaging machinery and later became involved in a company that produced private label candles. He saw the potential in Aspen Bay Candles, which had been established in 1990 and moved to Starkville, Mississippi, in 1991. The company had expanded its product line to include jar candles and uniquely shaped candles, but it faced financial difficulties when the bank called in the note.
Recognizing the value of the Aspen Bay brand and its market awareness, Reed seized the opportunity to acquire the company. He initially intended to move the factory to Indiana but ultimately decided to keep the operations in Starkville, acknowledging the quality of the local employees. Under Reed's ownership, Aspen Bay Candles continued to develop and market a range of candle products, including the popular Volcano-scented candle, known for its evocative fragrance of tropical fruits and citrus.
The Starkville-based candle-making company, later known as DPM Fragrance, gained international recognition for its high-quality candles and fragrance products. DPM Fragrance's product line included not only candles but also reed diffusers, room sprays, and hand soap, with fragrances ranging from Aloha Orchid to Mandarin Mint. The company's success in the candle-making industry is a testament to Reed's entrepreneurial vision and the dedication of its Starkville employees.
In 2016, DPM Fragrance, which owned Aspen Bay Candles, merged with Thymes to form CURiO Brands. This new entity was headquartered in Minneapolis, and the candle-making operations continued at the Lynn Lane plant in Starkville for over two decades. However, in early 2023, CURiO Brands announced the sudden cessation of production at the Starkville plant, attributing the decision to disagreements over a new lease with the prospective property owner, Castle Properties.
The closure of the Starkville candle plant resulted in the layoff of 27 employees, with operations being transferred to other CURiO facilities in the Midwest. While the physical plant may have closed, the Aspen Bay Candles brand and its legacy live on through CURiO Brands. The story of Aspen Bay Candles, from its early troubles to its ultimate success and evolution, showcases the resilience and adaptability of the business in the face of challenges.
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DPM Fragrance, which owned Aspen Bay Candles, merged with Thymes to form CURiO
DPM Fragrance, which owned Aspen Bay Candles, has a long history in the candle business. The company's history dates back to 1976 when it was known as Candles by Bert. Over the years, the company changed hands and locations, eventually settling in Starkville, Mississippi, and expanding its product line to include jar candles and uniquely shaped candles.
In 2001, Tom Reed, an entrepreneur from Georgia, purchased Aspen Bay Candles. Reed recognized the value of the Aspen Bay brand and its potential for growth. Under his ownership, the company continued to thrive and establish itself in the candle-making industry.
DPM Fragrance, the parent company of Aspen Bay Candles, became known for its high-quality products and innovative fragrances. They collaborated with fragrance houses to develop a wide range of scents, and their designers created unique containers and packaging, contributing to the overall appeal of their candle products.
In 2016, DPM Fragrance made a strategic decision to merge with Thymes, another prominent company in the fragrance industry. This merger resulted in the formation of a new entity called CURiO Brands. CURiO benefited from the combined expertise and resources of its predecessor companies, allowing it to expand its operations and reach an even wider audience.
The merger created a powerful player in the fragrance industry, with CURiO offering a diverse range of candles and other fragrance products. The company continued to innovate and adapt to market demands, ensuring its position as a leading brand in the competitive world of scented candles and home fragrances.
Unfortunately, in early 2023, CURiO Brands made the difficult decision to cease production at its candle manufacturing plant in Starkville, laying off 27 employees. This decision was attributed to disagreements over a new lease with the prospective property owner, Castle Properties. Despite this setback, CURiO Brands remains committed to its operations and continues to produce fragrance products at its other facilities.
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CURiO Brands ceased production at its Starkville plant in 2023
In February 2023, CURiO Brands, the company that owned Aspen Bay Candles, announced it would immediately cease production at its Starkville plant, resulting in the layoff of 27 employees. The decision came about due to disagreements over a new lease with the prospective new property owner, Castle Properties, who would take ownership of the building on March 1, 2023.
CURiO Brands, formed in 2016 through the merger of Thymes and DPM Fragrance, owned and operated the candle-making plant at Lynn Lane in Starkville for over two decades. The plant's history dates back to 1976 when it was established as Candles by Bert. It was sold in 1990, moved to Starkville, and renamed Aspen Bay Candles.
DPM Fragrance, the Starkville-based candle-making company, had an international reach and produced 1.8 million candles with fragrances ranging from Aloha Orchid to Mandarin Mint. The Aspen Bay Candles brand was described as "clean and neutral for home," with products including jar candles, reed diffusers, room sprays, and hand soap.
Following the closure of the Starkville plant, all operations, including candle pouring lines and handmade product manufacturing, were moved to the company's local offices and distribution center on Highway 12, as well as other plants in the Midwest. The company worked quickly to transition to the new location and resume operations as soon as possible.
The cessation of production at the Starkville plant marked a significant change for CURiO Brands, impacting both the local community and the company's operations as they consolidated their candle manufacturing to new facilities.
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CURiO's decision to close the plant was due to a disagreement over a new lease
CURiO Brands' decision to close its candle manufacturing plant at 1010 Lynn Lane in Starkville was due to a disagreement over a new lease with the prospective new property owner, Castle Properties. The company announced on Wednesday, February 16, 2023, that it would immediately cease production at the plant and lay off 27 employees by February 28 as it moves all equipment to its Highway 12 facility and other plants in the Midwest.
The plant had been operating for over two decades under a lease with Starkville Community Church. However, when the property was sold to a new owner, Castle Properties, CURiO was unable to come to an agreement on a new lease.
"The decision to close the Lynn Lane plant came after we were unable to come to terms with the new owners of the building, who take ownership on March 1, 2023," CURiO Chief Executive Officer Anne Ward said in a press release.
The closure of the plant and the layoff of employees were unfortunate consequences of the company's inability to secure a new lease. CURiO's Chief Commercial Officer, Meredith Tutterow, stated that the company would be seeking to move its equipment and inventory to the Highway 12 facility as quickly as possible to minimize the disruption to their operations.
The decision to close the plant and lay off employees was a difficult one for CURiO Brands, but it was ultimately necessary due to the disagreement over the new lease. The company's priority now is to ensure a smooth transition to the new facility and to continue producing the high-quality candles and fragrances that their customers know and love, as they have done since 1991.
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Frequently asked questions
CURiO Brands, which owned Aspen Bay Candles, ceased production at its Lynn Lane plant in Starkville in February 2023. The decision was made due to disagreements over a new lease with the prospective new property owner, Castle Properties.
The company was sold in 1990, moved to Starkville, and renamed Aspen Bay Candles. Its product line was expanded to include jar candles and candles moulded to resemble pinecones, acorns, and other shapes.
Aspen Bay Candles was previously owned by two separate companies, Thymes and DPM Fragrance, which merged in 2016 to form CURiO Brands. CURiO Brands is now headquartered in Minneapolis.
