When he was just sixteen, my father Mike Kittredge made a candle using his old childhood crayons for his mother’s Christmas present. Within a year, the antique Queen Anne stove had become the heart of a tiny but fast-growing business called the Yankee Candle Company.
By following his inspiration and always stressing quality, my father made Yankee the candle industry standard which reshaped the modern gift ware landscape. He sold Yankee Candle in 1998, and retired from the world of wax and wicks – or so he thought.
In 2008, I made my first candle on this same old stove purely for fun; I had just turned nineteen. So when my 2009 college course required that I create and promote a product, my choice was natural: candles. As I worked on the project I felt a great sense of heritage and fulfillment, and an idea that wouldn’t go away formed in the back of my mind.
I discussed expanding the academic assignment into a real business with my father. We spent several days considering what it would be like for both of us if I followed in his footsteps. There was a growing excitement as we realized we both wanted to explore the concept further.
As part of this process, we decided to see what sort of available facilities might be suited to candle crafting. On a drive through lovely Bernardston, Massachusetts, we discovered a building for sale which seemed to hold great promise. And it was familiar; the owner was a very good former customer of my Dad’s during Yankee Candle’s heyday.
At over 18,000 square feet, the place seemed much larger than I’d conceivably ever need. But as we looked around Dad said, “Just imagine the options for a moment. Production would fit nicely in this area, packaging and shipping goes over there, and this section could be an ideal showroom/retail space.”
I had to agree with my father; the property offered lots of flexibility and having a store made solid sense. His theory held that to be a good manufacturer you ideally have to be a good retailer of your own product. It’s the very best way to learn why a product sells, or doesn’t.
So, not long before Christmas 2009, the Kringle Candle Company was born. And our new home is less than twenty miles from Yankee Candle, on the very same state highway. I’m proud that the company my Dad created is so close by, and that we offer a high quality product and visitor experience as well.
The ultra-fragrant Kringle Candle line unites the best of the traditional and the new, with exciting candle products designed to mesh with virtually any decor. We’ve worked hand-in-hand with the industry’s finest perfumers to select an array of robust, realistic candle fragrances. Our all-white candles not only blend perfectly with all backdrops, they emit the purest, brightest light possible.
My Dad and I are still working together to create a new kind of candle business focusing on exceptional product quality and outstanding customer service, plain and simple. We pledge to you that we’ll remain wholly American-owned and operated, never straying from our singular mission of making only superior, honest candles that you’ll want to have in your home.
We’re very proud of our candles, and I think you will be pleased with them too.
Mike Kittredge III
I am a huge Candle fan (in case you didn't know.) I live about 10 miles from Yankee Candle, and visit it often. To me it's like my own personal Disney World in Mass!!!
When Kringle Candle came about, I was one of the first in the door.
I have found that Kringle Candles do smell a lot more then other candles (in a good way) and that the white does go with everything.
Kringle Candle is very similar to Yankee Candle, but I have to say that I like it a little more (sorry Yankee, I still love you!!)
In case you haven't heard of Kringle, I thought I would give one of you the chance to experience them!!!
One lucky winner is going to get four tea light candles in some of my favorite holiday scents: Pumpkin Spice, Balsam Fir, Peppermint Twist, and Christmas.
I have a beautiful six tea light candle holder, and I burn one Kringle, and five plain candles and the smell is awesome!!!
1 comment:
Thanks for the chance!
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