May 4, 2009

Colonial Candle Marks 100 Years of Exceptional Quality, Style and Innovation

Cannon Falls, MN – Midwest, leading designer and manufacturer of the Colonial Candle®, Seasons of Cannon Falls® and Delight™ brands, announces a major milestone for Colonial Candle – 100 years of lighting the industry with exceptional quality candles and home fragrance products. Midwest will celebrate Colonial Candle’s landmark 100th anniversary by recognizing retailers for their dedication and support through the years by offering a new 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,” says Frederic Contino, President of Midwest. “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 décor.”

From the start, Colonial Candle has been a pioneer and leader in building and growing the candle industry through dedication to the highest standards of quality and innovation. 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 very rare at the turn of the century. Colonial Candle began in Hyannis, Massachusetts, 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 always 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, Colonial 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 the age of 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 Candle has truly 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 U.S.A., and the candle that started it all, bayberry tapers, are still available today after 100 years from its inception. Colonial Candle’s mission continues with the high standards the company has been committed to for the past century: dedicated to creating home fragrance and décor products with uncompromising quality and excellent style. And Colonial Candle continues to lead the industry with more “firsts.” 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.

New Limited Edition Anniversary Fragrance: “Celebrate! by Colonial Candle”
During the summer 2009 markets, Colonial will unveil a new 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 starting May 11, 2009 through August 18, 2009, “Celebrate!” is available in two formats, including Colonial’s best selling 22-ounce and 8-ounce Oval container candles, at a special anniversary discount suggested retail price of $15 and $9 respectively (typically these candles are $25 and $15).

Colonial Candle Celebrates 100th Anniversary with 100 Days of Savings

To honor and thank customers for their loyalty and support throughout the years, Colonial Candle introduces 100 Days of Savings on best selling products available on all orders placed between May 11 and August 18, 2009, including:

• 100 Days of Savings on Ovals, All Fragrances: Colonial Candle features special anniversary prices on all 22-ounce and 8-ounce Oval container candles in all fragrances. Suggested retail prices are $19.09 on all 22-ounce Ovals to commemorate the year Colonial Candle began, and $11.50 on all 8-ounce Ovals. Suggested retail prices for the Ovals are typically $25 and $15 respectively.
• 100 Days of Savings on Blue Box Tapers: All classic and Handipt® taper candles are available at a suggested retail price of $2 each. Suggested retail prices for classic and Handipt taper candles are typically $2.20 to $3.50 each.

Midwest Hosts 100th Anniversary Events during Summer Markets In addition to introducing the “Celebrate!” special anniversary fragrance and 100 Days of Savings, Midwest will also host 100th anniversary celebrations for independent retailers during the summer 2009 markets in Midwest showrooms, including:

• Atlanta: Friday, July 10, 2009, from 3 to 7 p.m.; in AmericasMart Building One, Suite 16A7
• Chicago: Saturday, July 18, 2009; from 3 to 7 p.m.; in The Merchandise Mart, Suite 13-155
• Dallas: Friday, June 26, 2009; from 3 to 7 p.m.; in the World Trade Center, Suite 407
• New York: Monday, August 17, 2009; from 3 to 7 p.m.; in 7 West, Suite 500
• Seattle: Friday, August 21, 2009; from 3 to 7 p.m.; in Pacific Market Center, Suite 133 & 134

For more information about Colonial Candle’s 100th anniversary fragrance, 100 Days of Savings, or events, please 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.

Midwest sparkles as a national leader in the giftware industry, bringing independent retailers unique product designs, award-winning display ideas, innovative merchandising programs, outstanding customer service, and an experienced and enthusiastic sales team. Through our Colonial Candle brand, we bring independent retailers exceptional quality and excellent style, featuring on-trend fragrances and colors, candles proudly made in the U.S., and a commitment to responsible leadership as an Environmental Partner. Through our Seasons of Cannon Falls brand, we offer a wide variety of exclusive holiday, seasonal, and everyday home decorations and gifts. Please call 800-776-2075 or visit www.midwestofcannonfalls.com to view e-catalogs, request more information, or locate a showroom near you.