After eight wonderful years of serving the Gloucester community, The Candle Tree—a cherished independent shop located on College Street near the Cathedral—will be closing its physical doors at the end of May 2025. Owner Sandra Powell shared this heartfelt news in the latest monthly business newsletter, marking the end of an era for this beloved local retailer.
Sandra, who launched her shop 10 years ago and relocated it to Gloucester eight years back, reflects on the journey with fondness. “I initially intended to run the shop for a short while but soon found myself deeply passionate about shop-keeping,” she writes. As the lease agreement comes to a close, shifting retail landscapes and changes within the city center make it difficult to continue at this location.
Despite the closure of the brick-and-mortar store, loyal customers can still support The Candle Tree by shopping online, where selected products will remain available. To celebrate the shop’s legacy and thank customers for their ongoing support, a special sale on selected items will run throughout April and May until the closure.
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Sandra extends her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported the business over the years: “You made The Candle Tree the successful and unique retailer it is today. I will never forget that.” Looking forward, Sandra hopes customers will continue to shop online until a new physical location is found and invites them to join her in the next chapter of the shop’s story.
As The Candle Tree closes this chapter, it does so with a commitment to quality, community, and a hopeful vision for what lies ahead.