YCC Yankee Cdle

Yankee Candle has long been a favorite of Florida customers who value its strong, true-to-life candle fragrances during both good and bad weather. After last year's hurricane disasters in the state, the Company heard from many of its Florida customers that not only were their glowing Yankee(R) candles the one bright spot in an otherwise devastating scene, but that the fragrances overcame the unpleasant odors of soggy belongings. In response to requests from Florida consumers, Yankee Candle Company (NYSE:YCC) today announced that the price of its signature scented candle, the 22 oz. Housewarmer(R) jar candle, will be offered at its 28 Florida retail stores and participating retailers for $19.99 to enable customers to take advantage of the state's hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday from June 1 - 12, 2005. Housewarmer jar candles are available in 60 true-to-life floral, fruit, fresh, food and holiday fragrances, and the entire Housewarmer line qualifies for the special sales tax holiday. The location of Yankee Candle retail stores in Florida can be found on yankeecandle.com under store locator. Detailed information about the Florida hurricane preparedness tax holiday can be found on http://www.myflorida.com/dor. About Yankee Candle The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. is the leading designer, manufacturer, retailer and wholesaler of premium scented candles in the U.S. with sales of $554 million in fiscal 2004. The Company has a 35-year history of offering distinctive products and marketing them as affordable luxuries and consumable gifts. In addition to its 361 retail stores in 42 states, a North American wholesale customer network of approximately 15,600 store locations, a European wholesale customer network of approximately 2,200 store locations through its distribution center located in the United Kingdom, the Company sells its products through direct mail catalogs and its Web site, yankeecandle.com. Headquartered in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, Yankee Candle employs approximately 4,550 people.