A 113-year-old chocolate plant in Pennsylvania will close its doors for good next year.
LNP reports the decision to close Wilbur Chocolate's plant in Lititz was announced Thursday by its owner, Cargill.
“These are very difficult decisions, especially when they involve people who have done such great work for us over the years,” said Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate North America president Bryan Wurscher. “We are committed to helping those who are impacted find other employment and assist them with this transition.”
About 100 employees will lose their jobs when the plant closes in January. Officials say another 30 workers in the administrative offices will be reassigned to Cargill offices in Minneapolis or Milwaukee.
Cargill said the Wilbur Chocolate Candy Americana Museum and Candy Store in the front of the plant will remain open as an anchor for the downtown area.
Mayor Tim Snyder says they're disappointed, but happy the retail store is staying open.
The chocolatier's most popular candy, the Wilbur Bud, was introduced in 1893, about a decade before the similarly shaped Hershey's Kiss.
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Cargill said it will continue to employee around 2,200 employees at its other businesses in the Keystone State.
