Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May, 2026
Empire Candle Launches est.1951: A Small-Batch Luxury Candle Collection Designed for Independent Retailers
New premium scented candle line combines elevated design, fragrance performance, accessible price point, and the reliability of a 75-year U.S. manufacturer
Kansas City, KS - Empire Candle announces the launch of est.1951, a new small-batch candle collection hand-poured in Kansas City and purpose-built for independent retailers. The line will debut at the Atlanta Market in June and the Las Vegas Market in July 2026, with wholesale shipments beginning in August.
est.1951 represents a strategic expansion beyond Empire Candle’s core high-volume portfolio. While the company’s flagship brands are built for scale and accessibility, est.1951 offers a more elevated, design-forward assortment. The collection delivers premium aesthetics and fragrance complexity, alongside consistency, quality control, and reliable fulfillment that independent retailers often struggle to find with smaller candle brands.
Every est.1951 candle is made with a proprietary natural vegan wax blend, lead-free wicks, and essential oil-based fragrances. All are hand-poured in the USA, tested for optimal burn performance, and presented in gift-ready packaging.
“We have 75 years of candle-making expertise behind us,” said Robert Turtledove, President and CEO of Empire Candle. “With est.1951, we set out to create a sophisticated collection where fragrance, design, and performance carry equal weight. Our goal is to give independent retailers a product that feels elevated and giftable, while still delivering the consistency, accessible pricing, and reliability they need to grow their businesses.”
The collection launches with four distinct lines:
- Metro features sculptural fluted-glass vessels inspired by the world's great cities, paired with fine fragrances developed in collaboration with North America's leading perfumers.
- Contours offers richly scented candles in classic hobnail glass in two sizes, with a particular emphasis on gifting.
- Boost+ brings mood-enhancing fragrance technology to a colorful, giftable 8oz format across six emotionally driven scents.
- Mirage rounds out the collection with prismatic iridescent glass and four clean, modern fragrances designed to command attention on the shelf.
est.1951 will be represented across 36 US states by Gib Carson Associates, a long-established independent rep agency in the gift and home category. GCA operates showrooms at AmericasMart in Atlanta and the World Market Center in Las Vegas.
Visit www.est1951.com for wholesale inquiries or retail information.
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Gib Carson Associates Atlanta Showroom: AmericasMart, 40 John Portman Blvd. N.W., Building 2, Showroom 1319, Atlanta, GA 30303 | Las Vegas Showroom: World Market Center, Building C-699 | Phone: 404-589-8122 | Toll Free: 888-729-8213 | info@gibcarson.com | www.gibcarson.com
About Empire Candle
Empire Candle Co. has been crafting scented candles in Kansas City since 1951. Proudly American-made, the company produces high-quality candles and wax melts for retailers and private label partners across the country. Empire Candle's brands include Tuscany Candle (the category leader in grocery and drug settings), est.1951, and Candle Essentials, as well as an extensive portfolio of private label, custom development, and specialty programs. More information: www.empirecandle.com.
