Goodbye Twinkies and Chocodiles? Thoughts on Losing Hostess Brand Products
If you haven't been online, watched the news, or talked to me, you might not have heard that Hostess, the maker of Twinkies and other delicious treats, is closing its doors. Some people are lamenting the loss of this iconic brand, others are glad to see them go, while some are making jokes about hoarding these delightful treats (they don't last long, so get on it). I've been keeping up with the news updates for the past few days regarding the strikes and bakery closings, trying to stay optimistic about the whole situation. However, it seems that the era of Wonder Bread is finally coming to an end. Or is it?
From what I'm reading, Hostess is planning to start selling off its assets, and that includes physical assets like the bakeries as well as the brands of the products made in those bakeries. The company that owned Hostess had been attempting to find a buyer for the entire company without success. Nevertheless, there were interested parties who expressed interest in acquiring specific parts of the business. While I don't yet know which specific parts garnered interest, I can't help but think that they might include the more successful brands we've all come to love over the years. Although this isn't a guarantee, it does provide some hope that Twinkie the Kid or the Drake’s line of Snack Cakes might find a new home somewhere else. Maybe?
Personally, I have my fingers crossed that they do find new homes, and that the individuals who have devoted their careers to producing Hostess’ many products will be involved in the continuation of these beloved brands. When a situation like this arises and we find ourselves becoming nostalgic for a brand, it's a good time to remember the hard work that went into making, transporting, and selling these treats. Our enjoyment of them was made possible by the thousands of individuals who built their careers with or around Hostess in various capacities. Sadly, these people are now facing unemployment. To them, I say thank you, and I hope that they will find new employment opportunities swiftly.
Not being an industry captain or an economist, I'm unsure about what ultimately led to Hostess' downfall, but it appears to be a complex issue. Perhaps changing tastes, financial troubles, and other factors played a role? What I do know is that I'm going to miss Hostess a lot. Some form of a Hostess product has been on the shelf of my family's kitchen since I was a child. I would bring them to school every day and exchange them with friends for heartier options.
So, yes, I'm going to miss them, and I plan to buy a box or two today, just in case they are indeed my last. I will savor each one, and when the last treat is consumed, I'll feel a sense of sadness, but I won't lose hope. Instead, I'll keep an eye on the web and, more importantly, on the store shelves, anticipating their potential return.
Less prominent brands have managed to stage comebacks, and even if these don't, we will always have the memories...
