Exhibit 99.1

                             CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                 SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


      In connection with the Quarterly Report of The Yankee Candle Company, Inc.
      (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 29, 2002, as filed
      with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
      "Report"), I, Craig W. Rydin, Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
      certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
      906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

            (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
            13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

            (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Company.


/s/ CRAIG W. RYDIN
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Craig W. Rydin
Chief Executive Officer
August 13, 2002