Backyard Candle Company’s owner ­Tricia Whistler has announced that the company has been sold to employee Holly Hochstedler. The store front on the north side of the square in Washington will be closing at the end of January 2014. Hochstedler will continue candle making and will do wholesale accounts. It is not certain at this time where the candles will be available for purchase. Backyard Candle Company’s store front opened eight years ago.