Massachusetts company Yankee Candle to shut down Western Mass. facility, lay off around 100 employees

Yankee Candle Inc. is closing down its South Deerfield, Mass., distribution center and offices on Sept. 9, according to a new state filing. Newell Brands, Yankee Candle’s parent company, says they plan to lay off around 100 employees. 

Newell Brands initially announced downsizing in January of last year, but now are officially disclosing the closing date of the specific 27 Yankee Candle Way offices. The facility will remain open, but will now serve as an auxiliary warehouse for Yankee Candle and other Newell Brand products. 

“There are no changes to our other Yankee Candle operations in Western Massachusetts. Yankee was founded in the area, and we are committed to maintaining a strong local presence with our flagship Yankee Candle Village store and various research, manufacturing, distribution and office facilities,” a spokesperson for Newell Brands said in a statement. 

The same statement confirmed that all employees who are laid off will receive what the company calls “transition benefits.”

Newell Brands, which also owns Rubbermaid and Sharpie, laid off around 13 percent of their office positions in 2023 due to a restructuring plan. 

Yankee Candle was founded over 5 decades ago in South Deerfield. Yankee Candle Village, the main factory and candle store, opened in 1983. Newell Brands acquired Yankee Candle, Inc. in 2016.