Share this on

Colonial Candle marks 100 years

Invites retailers to celebrate at summer markets parties

-- Casual Living, 7/1/2009 3:18:00 PM

Midwest will celebrate Colonial Candle’s 100th anniversary by offering a limited edition fragrance called Celebrate! by Colonial Candle, plus 100 Days of Savings on best-selling products and celebrations hosted during the summer markets – all designed to benefit independent retailers.

“We’re proud to share Colonial Candle’s rich heritage and dedication to quality with our customers and the industry,” said Frederic Contino, president of Midwest, the manufacturer of the Colonial Candle, Seasons of Cannon Falls and Delight brands. “To thank our customers for their support and continued success with Colonial Candle, we’ve designed a special fragrance and exceptional discounts to benefit their bottom line or pass along to their customers. The key to Colonial’s longevity continues to be our founding motto – exceptional quality candles dedicated to design excellence and recognized as the gold standard for candles, home fragrance and decor.”

From the start, Colonial Candle has been a pioneer and leader in building and growing the candle industry. Colonial Candle is known for a wide range of “firsts” in the candle business. Founded in 1909 by Mabel Baker, Colonial Candle was the first U.S. candle company founded and owned by a woman, which was rare at the turn of the century. Colonial Candle began in Hyannis, Mass., when Baker, a schoolteacher, was inspired by stories of pilgrims making candles from the native bayberries growing nearby. Baker followed the same Colonial-era process of making her own bayberry candles from scratch, including hand-braiding cotton wicks and hand-dipping taper candles as many as 35 times each to create special Christmas gifts for her friends and family. Her popular bayberry candles were in such high demand that Baker began selling them through many stores on Cape Cod.

Over time, Baker expanded the business, but remained focused on providing exceptional quality and innovation. In 1921, Baker’s husband, Walter, joined the thriving business and they built their first candle factory. In 1925, Walter developed the industry’s first-ever solid colored candle. Soon after, Colonial became the first company in the industry to also offer candle accessories such as candle holders and decorative candle rings. The company continued to grow through the Great Depression, and in 1937 became the first candle company to develop and sell fragranced candles made with scented oils. Mabel remained active in the business until her death in 1965 at age 93. But the business she founded from the ground up had only just begun.

In 1990, Colonial Candle joined the Blyth, Inc. family, and continued to grow under its leadership with the introduction of the industry’s first patented Oval container candle to mark the new millennium in 2000, featuring two wicks for the cleanest burning container candle. The Oval container candle skyrocketed to become the best selling format. In 2005, Colonial became part of the Midwest family under the Blyth umbrella, with a continued commitment to providing exceptional quality candles and service to independent retailers.

With 100 years of experience in candle craftsmanship, Colonial has mastered the art of candle making, using only the finest ingredients and materials available. Today, Colonial Candle classic wax and home fragrance products continue to be proudly made in the USA., and the bayberry tapers candles that started it all are still available.

In 2008, Colonial became the first major U.S. candle factory to be accredited as a “green” facility and named an Environmental Partner for an ongoing commitment to recycling, conserving natural resources and reducing energy consumption.

During the summer 2009 markets, Colonial will unveil a limited edition anniversary fragrance called “Celebrate! by Colonial Candle.”

Celebrate was commissioned to one of the top fragrance houses in the world to create an updated, trend-right fragrance that appeals to today’s consumer while highlighting the longevity and essence of the Colonial Candle brand. Celebrate features a fresh, sophisticated fragrance with delicate florals and highlights of warm amber and vanilla. Fragrance notes include exotic sheer spice, lush white floral, blue jasmine, pink geranium, white iris, vanilla orchid, crystal amber, silken musk and white musk. The “Celebrate! by Colonial Candle” fragrance also features a special commemorative embossed label highlighting the gold “C” logo. Available through Aug. 18, the candles are available in 22-ounce and 8-ounce oval containers at a special anniversary discount price.

100 Days of Savings
To thank customers for their loyalty and support throughout the years, Colonial Candle introduces 100 Days of Savings on best-selling products on all orders placed through Aug. 18. Special prices are available on ovals in all fragrances and on all classic and Handipt® taper candles.

100th Anniversary Events during Summer Markets
In addition to introducing the Celebrate! special anniversary fragrance and 100 Days of Savings, Midwest will host 100th anniversary celebrations for independent retailers during the summer 2009 markets in Midwest showrooms, including:
• Atlanta: Friday, July 10, 3-7 p.m.; AmericasMart Building One, Suite 16A7
• Chicago: Saturday, July 18, 3-7 p.m.; The Merchandise Mart, Suite 13-155
• New York: Monday, Aug. 17, 3-7 p.m.; 7 West, Suite 500
• Seattle: Friday, Aug. 21, 3-7 p.m.; Pacific Market Center, Suite 133 & 134
For more inf, contact your local Midwest account manager, visit one of Midwest’s eight showrooms (Atlanta, Billerica, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle), or call Midwest at 800-776-2075. Visit www.midwestofcannonfalls.com to view e-catalogs, request more information or locate a showroom near you.

Share this on

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Surya makes thousands of rugs available on iPad app

Feb 3, 2012

American-Indonesian trade promoted at New York forum

Feb 3, 2012

Casual showrooms in Chicago to host Spring Fling

Feb 3, 2012

Donna H. Myers Barbecue Leadership Award to be presented at HPBExpo

Feb 2, 2012

Dallas Market Center names Best of Show winners

Feb 2, 2012

Also by this author

»MORE

Featured Company

Brandwise Inc.

Brandwise serves a model - not just an industry - by integrating, automating, and optimizing the entire sales channel, from wholesale Suppliers to their Reps and the Retailers they service. In short, our software helps Reps and Suppliers sell more and create... more

Most Recent Resources

Casual Living Merchandising Awards

Our 10th annual Merchandising Awards include a mix of repeat winners and new stores that visually tie together colors, themes and design elements for outstanding appeal.

Fabric colors signal rebound

Outdoor performance fabric makers and casual furniture retailers are looking to mood-lifting bright colors, novelty yarns, decorative accessories and a slowly rebounding economy as key signs of life for the industry.