Plans to convert the old Yankee Candle store in Williamsburg into an entertainment venue appear to be off again.
The special use permit granted to build an indoor family waterslide park on the site expired last month, and the applicant has not applied to renew it, according to a city spokeswoman.
Although the Slick City website still says the Williamsburg location will open in 2027, no work has been done and the company has not filed for any permits to begin construction, the spokesperson said.
Yankee Candle closed in April 2021, and Richmond-based entertainment company Uptown Alley bought the building with plans to turn it into a multi-level entertainment center with a bowling alley, arcade and restaurant. But the cost of renovating the 65,000 square foot building proved too high, according to news reports.
A smaller Yankee Candle store opened last fall at the Premium Outlets in James City County.
Uptown Alley is still the owner of record for the original Yankee Candle property, assessed by the city at $5.9 million.
Uptown Alley and the Slick City Action Park franchisee that filed to turn the site into a water slide park share the same address in Chester. Steven M. Uphoff is listed as the director of both in State Corporation Commission records.
Repeated calls and emails to both the franchisee and the Slick City headquarters in Missouri were not returned.
Slick City is a franchise that was founded in 2022. It has 16 open locations and 40 under construction, according to its website.
At the time they approved the special use permit in July 2025, City Council members shared fond memories of going to Yankee Candle with their family.