Ortt and Bologna announce Candlelight Cabinetry transition

With nearly $6 million in initial investment, new ownership will create new manufacturing jobs, contribute toward worker back pay

Submitted by the Office of New York State Sen. Rob Ortt

On Friday, May 15, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Paul Bologna and representatives from the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency shared details on the completion of a takeover that will see Candlelight Cabinetry in Lockport operate as a new company under new leadership.

In late 2025, workers at Candlelight Cabinetry reported missing paychecks, health insurance, and retirement benefits, and in January mass employee furloughs began. Since then, leaders at the local, county and state level have been working to find solutions to save an anchor business of Lockport and the nearly 150 jobs it offered. A group of local investors – in partnership with Cuisine Idéale – have announced a deal to acquire Candlelight Cabinetry assets and create a new company: Candlelight Curated Inc.

Founded in 1990, Candlelight Cabinetry is a 35-year-old business designing custom cabinets for high-end residential and commercial accounts throughout the Eastern U.S. The company has long been recognized as one of the premier artisanal cabinetry manufacturers in the region, and an anchor employer in the Lockport community.

Cuisine Idéale is a second-generation, custom cabinetry manufacturer headquartered in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Founded in 1971, the company brings over 50 years of expertise in high-end cabinetry design and manufacturing, with a proven track record of scaling operations and delivering world-class products across North America.

One of the top priorities of the investors is to ensure furloughed workers are made whole by providing funds for outstanding wages owed. The new ownership is committed to creating as many new jobs as possible and restoring skilled manufacturing positions that have long been a staple of the Lockport workforce.

“By investing in Candlelight Curated Inc. and our local workforce, we’re creating positive ripple effects for employees, their families, and the entire community,” Ortt said. “I’m grateful we have a group of investors who truly understand the importance of this business to our region and have made a commitment first and foremost to doing right by the workers. They stepped in quickly to save a well-established company and dozens of good-paying jobs, keeping them right here in Niagara County.”

Bologna said, “This is a major step forward for the workers and families who have endured months of uncertainty. For too long, these employees were left without answers, without pay, and without the security they earned. Candlelight Cabinetry has long been an important part of the Lockport community, and this agreement ensures those good-paying jobs stay right here where they belong.”

Niagara County Legislator Rick Abbott said, “This is tremendous news that resulted from state and county officials working hand in hand with the private sector to bring in a new ownership group. I specifically want to thank our Economic Development Commissioner Andrea Klyczek and the team at the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency for their hard work. The great workforce at Candlelight Cabinetry has had to deal with a lot of uncertainty, but now they move forward knowing they have a secure future with this new group in place.”

Peter Demakos, a Buffalo native with an extensive background in construction and manufacturing, has been named the new CEO of Candlelight Cabinetry.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to revive a local, high-quality manufacturer, and the synergies between the two companies will provide opportunities for additional growth in new markets,” Demakos said. “We also appreciate the tremendous efforts by everyone including Sen. Ortt, Assemblyman Bologna, Legislator Abbot, Andrea Klyczek from the IDA, the local and Albany teams at NBT Bank, and the company’s previous owner, Bob Sanderson.”

Pierre-Yves Gagnon, co-president of Cuisine Idéale, said, “We believe the skilled craftspeople who have long carried the Candlelight name deserve, in turn, a chance to let their talents shine across the United States. The level of artisanal craftsmanship at Candlelight is simply unmatched in the North American market. We have always admired the outstanding quality of this brand, and we see this transition as an opportunity to become part of its rich and storied history.”

The new ownership group has a four-phase plan to restore the business. In the coming weeks, the company will contribute toward backpay obligations, offer health insurance for the new Candlelight Curated employees, hire workers in stages, and secure key supplier relationships. Within a few months, production lines will be restarted, and facility upgrades will be made. Within a year, the new ownership intends to leverage a cross-border distribution network, hire additional workers, expand operations, and pursue new market opportunities.