About Us

Colonial Candlecrafters' candle shop was started on top of a family's kitchen stove. Now owned by Patricia and Gregory Hess, the business was the brainchild of Pat's mother and father, Beverly and Howard Bird.

"We had this tiny kitchen," Pat recalls. "One candle mold grew to three molds; three molds grew to five and before long mom and dad moved operations to the basement and were making 100 candles at a time. They arrived at a juncture: either do something with this so-called hobby or quit." In 1971, the Birds purchased property two miles south of Lewisburg on Route 15, the current site of the existing Colonial Candlecrafters shop. They officially opened the store on March 3, 1972 in one long room on the first floor and two years later enlarged the space.

"This has been my only job."

Pat literally grew up with the business of candle making. She started working at the shop at 14. After high school, she graduated from Bloomsburg State University and came back to Lewisburg in 1979. She managed the business from 1979 to 1982.

"In 1982 mom and dad decided to sell the business. Greg and I had been married three years. I said 'Let's either buy it, or move to Florida.' I couldn't stand by and let someone else buy the business I had not only grown up with, but also one I had truly grown to love."

Over the years many changes have taken place in the candle-making industry, but one factor has remained the same: At a time when most candle makers have switched to an automated manufacturing process, Colonial Candlecrafters has stayed with its tradition of hand-pouring its candles, despite the lengthy process.

"We have spent many hours deciphering why certain candles burn differently than others. There are numerous variables which help to develop the way a candle performs.  We put everything we have learned over the past 35 years into making our candles, which makes them a very special product."

Candle making has been part of our family tradition for over a third of a century. We take pride in the fact that all our candles are of the highest quality standards, ensuring great fragrance impacts and long burning times. Our candle makers hand poured about 80,000 pounds of wax last year alone!

From our humble beginnings, we have grown into a multifaceted candle business offering candles of many sizes and shapes as well as other candle related products.

Catering to guests near and far, Colonial Candlecrafters has grown from a family hobby to a full-time business. Whether you are drawn to color or fragrance in a candle, Colonial Candlecrafters has a variety of both from which to choose.

A proud day in the life of Colonial Candlecrafters and its employees was marked on March 3, 2007.  With a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, Pat Hess cut a symbolic ribbon with a pair of over-sized scissors beginning another year in business. "It has been a very overwhelming and humbling day" said Pat Hess, owner of Colonial Candlecrafters. "People who have known me all my life have stopped in to wish us well, AND pick up some new candles," Pat said with a wink and a smile.

Times certainly have changed over the years for this small landmark business on the outskirts of Lewisburg. Trends have come and gone. One good thing that has remained is that "The candle shop is still open and thriving after 35 years of hard work and dedication by every one of the Colonial Candlecrafters' family of employees" explained Pat, "but more importantly, we must thank our customers…those people who have known us, supported us, and allowed this small business, Colonial Candlecrafters, to achieve this milestone".

Pictured (from L to R) Colonial Candlecrafters employees: Betty Meckley, Pat Hendricks, Carrie Walter, Kathy Deivert, Rita Hess.  Also joining in the celebration, Fred Kelly, GSVCC Chamber Ambassador; Pat Hess, owner; Judy Wagner, Mayor of Lewisburg; Bill Haas, Union County Commissioner; Linda Sprenkle, GSVCC Membership Committee Member; Mary Ellen Jansen, GSVCC Ambassador; Jan Wilson, GSVCC Interim President/CEO.

Is your order a gift? If so, just check the "gift box" area when ordering. We will then send your
order in one of our attractive custom gift boxes where, along with burning instructions, each candle
will be wrapped in tissue paper, bubble wrapped, placed inside the gift box and tied with curling ribbon.
Receipts are not included in gift boxed orders. Click Here to view Gift Box.
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