1958 – 1977
LOCATION
Main Street USA – The Candle Shop was nestled in the center of Main Street, between the Crystal Arcade and Upjohn Pharmacy. Today, this space houses the toy section of the Crystal Arcade (sometimes called the Storybook Store).
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Merchandise – Candles, candles, and more candles!
- Unique Features – Floor to ceiling candle décor, including spiraled and chandelier-shaped displays
A quaint little street deserves a quaint little candle shop, right? Main Street’s candle shop served up an overwhelming variety of candles, from seasonal scents to decorative pieces, even candles shaped like food and tiki heads! Even visitors not looking to buy candles would swing by the shop, just to take a look at the amazing décor within the tiny space. Every square inch of the shop had some kind of candle to see and smell, from the floors to the center of the ceiling.
CLOSURE
There was no single reason for this shop’s closure. Over time, the candle shop felt antiquated, even for an old-timey street like Main Street. By the mid-70s, Disney began looking for a replacement shop to bring new energy to the Candy Palace area. Over the next few years, the candles were phased out in favor of new merchandise, before finally settling on today’s watch and jewelry store.
TRIVIA
The Candle Shop became famous for its unusual offerings, including candles shaped like foods (hamburgers, banana splits, even turkey!).
Despite its small size, she shop carried inventory of up to 75,000 candles.
No, the Candle Shop did not become the Watch and Jewelry stores, as it was located back in northwest corner of the space, and those are storefront shops — It was absorbed by the Western Publishing Bookshop, and is now currently the Toy Shop.
Thanks for the correction, Kirk! The Disney guide I used to locate this shop must be outdated. Post has been updated!
Interesting. I like how you pick out less spectacular, but interesting items from Disneyland history. In fact, I first ran onto your blog when I was searching for information on Hobbyland, which you had written a piece about.
Thank you, John! I spotted a picture of the candle shop and was absolutely fascinated by it 🙂