A Twin Cities-based candlemaker is closing its facility and laying off nearly all of its workforce due to "deteriorating overall business conditions."

Illume Candles plans to gradually wind down operations at its Maple Grove headquarters over the next several months, and as a result, 132 employees will lose their jobs, according to plans shared Monday with state officials.

“This move was necessitated by deteriorating overall business conditions, including reduced demand from our contract-fill customers, coupled with a challenging and uncertain cost environment,” the company said in a statement Tuesday.

But the home fragrance company, whose products are carried by Anthropologie and Whole Foods, isn't completely being snuffed out.

A spokesperson told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Illum

See Full Page