The University City Cork & Candles is our first franchise and our flagship location. A family-owned small business, Cork & Candles was born out of a passion for handcrafting quality products with a story three generations in the making. In the 1960s, Dave Straub grew up and learned the arts of painting, woodworking, and candle-making from his father, Ken. Ken passed away when Dave was 23, leaving a beautiful collection of his artworks, along with impactful lessons and memories that shaped the father Dave would become.

When Dave and his wife Sheelagh became parents, they named their son Kenny after Dave's late father. The father-son duo opened Cork & Candles with a dream of building an inviting space that would bring friends and communities together while spreading their love of handcrafting personal creations.

We believe everyone is creative and we are excited to help you unlock that creative energy as you handcraft your own custom candles!