Kalamazoo, MI-based Kalamazoo Candle Company, LLC has sought bankruptcy relief under Chapter 11 proceedings. The handmade candle company is seeking to reorganize as its liabilities significantly outweigh its assets.
Case records cite several financial issues, including declining gross revenue and unsecured creditor claims of over $1.9 million.
Kalamazoo Candle Company, LLC Files for Bankruptcy
The company submitted a Chapter 11 petition on May 15, 2026. Authorized representative David Adam McFarlin signed the petition before filing.
Case filings, as available on the PACER database, state that Kalamazoo Candle Company, LLC has qualified as a small business debtor. As a result, the company has elected to move ahead under Subchapter V of Chapter 11.
Attorney Steven M. Bylenga of CBH Attorneys & Counselors, PLLC, is the legal counsel in the case.
Company Faces Several Financial Pressures
The summary of assets and liabilities, as given in the petition, states that the company has more than $2 million in liabilities. On the other hand, it has listed its assets to be just $148,682, reflecting a wide gap between the values.
The company also submitted a list of its 20 largest non-insider unsecured creditors. These include Agilex Fragrance, City of Kalamazoo, Envision Property Management, Horizon Bank Kalamazoo, among others. Court filings indicate that funds will be available for distribution to the unsecured creditors.
Court filings show the company’s gross revenue has declined over the past two years. In 2024, the company reported approximately $2.2 million in gross revenue. The company reported roughly $1.5 million in gross revenue in 2025.
This year, up to the filing date, the value was listed to be around $449,000.
Highlights from the Filing
The petition identifies David A. McFarlin as the holder of 100% of the company’s membership interests. Other details from the Chapter 11 petition are summarized here:
- Filing Date: May 15, 2026
- Court and Jurisdiction: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan
- Type of Filing: Active, Voluntary Petition
- Chapter: 11, Subchapter V
- Case Number: 26-01606-swd
- Estimated Assets: Between $100,001 – $500,000
- Estimated Liabilities: Between $1,000,001 and $10 million
- Estimated Creditors: Between 1 and 49
- Reason for Filing: Restructure business under court supervision
About the Company
As a Michigan-based manufacturer of natural soy candles, the company offers a range of handmade, nontoxic, vegan, and sustainable items. Founded by Adam McFarlin, the company started as a home-based operation but is now a 15,000-square-foot manufacturing business.
Other than candles, its offerings include car fresheners, matchboxes, and warmers.
The latest filing outlines a financial strain facing Kalamazoo Candle Company, which is expected to restructure debt and manage creditor obligations under the guidance of the court.
