Investor buys Yankee Candle
Madison Dearborn Partners, a Chicago-based private equity investment firm, has agreed to purchase Yankee Candle Co. for approximately $1.4 billion. The total value of the transaction, including assumed debt, is approximately $1.7 billion. The transaction, which Yankee Candle characterized as a "merger agreement," is expected to close in the 1st quarter of 2007. Yankee shareholders will receive $34.75 for each share. Madison Dearborn Partners' portfolio holdings include Hines Horticulture, closeout chain Tuesday Morning and Family Christian Stores.

Watch for gift card fraud
Gift cards continue to be tempting targets for crooks, according to a report in The Charlotte Observer. Criminals are stealing blank gift cards and selling them online or tampering with them on the rack. Employees have been involved in some schemes. Best Buy discovered a cashier pocketed a valid card and replaced it with a blank one during a transaction. Many retailers are just now beginning to track gift card fraud. The 156 retail chains that participated in the 2005 National Retail Security Survey estimated they lose about $124,000 a year on cards.

High-end garden center planned in Delaware
Walker Farm, a 137-acre farm and garden center in Hockessin, Del., will be reborn as an upscale garden center and nursery, according to a report in The News Journal. A development company plans to invest nearly $1 million over the next few years to enhance the 85-year-old business. Investors are working with Dave Richardson of Richardson's Garden Centers to run the operation as Richardson's at the Walker Farm. Richardson's store on Yorklyn Ave. in Hockessin will continue to operate. The partners plan to give the garden center 5 years to become profitable.

Contest rewards small-business owners
Visa recently launched its "Business Breakthrough" promotion, which features case studies of small businesses and a chance for entrepreneurs to win prizes and assistance. Participants must submit an essay of 500 words or less on 1 of 5 business challenges: finance, technology, marketing, organization or team building. Deadline is Dec. 31. The catch? Participants must have a Visa business card and also accept Visa at their business.

Wal-Mart, MTV create eco-friendly exhibit
MTV and Wal-Mart teamed up to create "Everyday Green," an eco-friendly exhibit that will run from Oct. 23 to Nov. 10 at MTV's New York City store. The display demonstrates how plants filter harmful substances, create oxygen and reduce stress levels.

Worth a visit
Learn how tissue culture advances have made clumping bamboo, Fargesia robusta, available to the masses. Only on GreenBeam.com.