But Yankee Candle Village, with locations in both South Deerfield, Massachusetts and Williamsburg, Virginia, offers much more than enchanting fragrances. Imaginations and taste buds, in addition to olfactory senses, will be overwhelmed on a visit to a Yankee Candle flagship store.
Yankee Candle South Deerfield Emporium
Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, the original flagship store, features a 90,000-square-foot complex complete with everything from a Wax Works room to Bavarian Christmas Village. The fastest-growing attraction is the Wax Works exhibit; opened in 2008, it has already undergone an extensive renovation due to popular demand and lets visitors dip their own candles, make their own uniquely-scented jar candle and sculpt a wax cast of their hand.
Yankee Candle South Deerfield Bavarian Christmas Village
Wind your way through a maze of showrooms to the cozy Bavarian Christmas Village, a replica of a German Christmas town where it is always evening, the tinsel and light-trimmed roofs are covered with fluffy white snow and the spirit of Christmas is celebrated year-round. Stroll through the Black Forest, where it snows every day, before crossing a moat and reaching the warmth and safety of Nutcracker Castle. Visit with Santa Claus himself as he works in the castle’s toy shop. Snap pictures with Jolly Old Saint Nick and subtly drop a hint for your next Christmas present. Peruse the toy store filled with fun and unique toys, surely something for all ages.
Yankee Candle Williamsburg town square
People visit Yankee Candle Village for the candles, but stay for the fun. When you visit, however, save some time to browse the world’s largest candle store. Over 400,000 multi-colored candles in endless rows are available for purchase; discover discontinued and rare fragrances in the Treasures section and be the first to test new fragrances, which hit the shelves of the flagship store before any other. Complete the experience with a candle-lit meal at Chandler’s Restaurant, an award-winning restaurant with a broad wine selection and traditional New England dishes.
If you’re planning a trip to Massachusetts, Yankee Candle Village is a perfect destination, ideally located near many of New England’s top tourist spots. Six Flags New England, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Historic Deerfield and Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens can all be easily reached from Yankee Candle Village.
As you approach Yankee Candle Village in Williamsburg, it feels as if you are about to enter an overly large, old-fashioned general store. Rocking chairs line the front porch, which is framed by garland and Christmas wreaths, even in the middle of July.
Yankee Candle Village WaxWorks
This second flagship store is 40,000 square feet and similarly themed to the original Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield. Visitors can create the same wax hand sculptures in the Wax Works room or bring home their own personal candle fragrance. The snow falls just as thickly in Holiday Park as it does in the Black Forest; decorated trees shrouded in a dusting of snow frame the room, and the ambience is completed by a starry-sky painted on the ceiling. Walk through Town Square where Hickory, Dickory and Dock, a trio of four-and-a-half-foot animatronic mice, sing songs about Virginia. Sample some of Mrs. Claus’ best baking at Mrs. Claus’ Bakery & Café, or try a variety of candy at Yankee Candy. Ensure your spot on Santa’s “Nice” list by visiting him in his Toy Shop. Finally, don’t forget to explore the store, which sells a variety of household products, local syrups and sauces, handbags, jewelry, and of course, thousands of candles.
Located in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, Yankee Candle Village is within easy reach of such popular attractions as Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown and Busch Gardens Theme Park.
Contact
Yankee Candle Village, South Deerfield, 877-636-7707; or the Williamsburg store, 877-616-6510.Group tours: 877-636-7707, ext. 1206; email: grouptour@yankeecandle.com.
—By Nicholas Saigh
