The Williamsburg Soap and Candle Company in James City County, Virginia first opened in 1964. It was located near the Williamsburg Pottery Factory. It was founded by John Barnett, Sr., who moved a barn from a nearby farm and made it the first building of a complex which contained the manufacturing plant, numerous shops, and a restaurant. The factory was famous for making quality soap and candles. At one time, it was a major supplier of candles around the world. All of its candles were made at the on-site manufacturing plant, and all of the candle-making equipment were designed and built by employees.

Much of their unique candle-making equipment was purchased by Buyacandle.com

Williamsburg Soap and Candle Company was unable to compete in a competitive market leading to its closure in 2005. Today, several shops have moved in to the shop complex, although there are still a number of vacancies. The Candle Factory Restaurant is still open, although it recently renamed itself the Candle Light Restaurant. Currently, discussions are underway to demolish half of the stores, including the restaurant, to be replaced by a large store of a pharmaceutical chain.

Further reading

• Bradshaw, Nancy Smith and Frances Huckstep Hamilton. (1989) ''Velkommen til Norge: A Pictorial History of Norge, Virginia

[[Category:Defunct manufacturing companies of the United States]