A KOP Insiders Exclusive at Cork & Candles with Kenny Straub

In the heart of King of Prussia Town Center, Cork & Candles offers something more than a typical night out.

From the moment guests step inside, the intention behind the space is clear. Warm, elevated and thoughtfully designed, Cork & Candles feels less like a workshop and more like a gathering place.

“The business we’ve tried to build is one that’s focused on bringing people together,” says co-owner Kenny Straub. “We didn’t build Cork & Candles for candle lovers, or even just for people who want to make candles. We built it as a space where friends gather.”

On any given night, the space fills with birthday celebrations, date nights, girls’ nights out and groups of friends reconnecting over a shared experience. But just as often, it plays host to something larger—corporate team-building events, bridal showers, baby showers and community gatherings that bring dozens of people together under one roof.

“We see groups from companies like Vanguard or SEI coming in because they want to bring their teams together in a meaningful way,” Straub says. “And Cork & Candles sets up really nicely for that.”

With capacity for upwards of 60 guests, the King of Prussia location was designed to accommodate group gatherings. But scale alone isn’t what defines the experience.

“When you’re in the store, you see the smiles, the toasts and the celebrations,” he says. “You see memories being made. That’s what we’re most proud of.”

Straub describes the space as a kind of “third space”—not home, not work, but somewhere in between. A place where people can slow down, be present and spend quality time together.

“The Town Center is a wonderful spot for what we do,” he says. “You’ve got great restaurants all around—Paladar, City Works, Vetri—and we share a wall with Founding Farmers. People are already coming here to spend time together. We just become part of that experience.”

“Our manager always says, ‘All roads lead to King of Prussia,’” Straub says with a smile. “And we really see that. We’ll have people coming from Lancaster, from Reading, from New Jersey—it becomes a midpoint where people can come together.”

That dynamic has shaped not only the way Cork & Candles operates, but also how it grows. As the brand expands into new markets, the King of Prussia location remains a kind of blueprint for what works, and what needs to be adapted elsewhere.

“King of Prussia does so much to bring business to us,” he says. “When you move into other markets, you realize how important marketing and visibility are. Here, people find you. In other places, you have to work a lot harder to tell your story.”

For Straub, that sense of place extends beyond the storefront. When he and his team step away, they find no shortage of ways to enjoy what King of Prussia has to offer, from outdoor escapes at Valley Forge to favorite local dining spots.

But more than anything, it’s the energy of the area that stands out.

“If I had to describe King of Prussia in a few words,” he says, “I’d say it’s bubbling with enthusiasm.”

It’s a phrase that feels just as fitting for Cork & Candles itself, a space where that enthusiasm takes shape in laughter, conversation and beautiful candles.

About Cork & Candles
Cork & Candles is an interactive candle-making experience and event space located in King of Prussia Town Center. Designed as a social, hands-on environment, it blends creativity with connection, offering curated experiences for individuals, groups and corporate events in a warm, elevated setting built around bringing people together.

Cork & Candles
255 Main St #150,
King of Prussia, PA 19406
www.corkandcandles.com/king-of-prussia/