Manchester Road Hostess Closing, Employees Learn on The News

"Hostess Brands is Closed," that's the message on the official Hostess website Friday.

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The news comes after the company issued striking bakery workers an ultimatum earlier this week. It said it would be forced to liquidate if sufficient employees did not return to work to restore normal operations by 5 p.m., EST p.m., Nov. 15. That did not happen, so the company stated that is the cause for the shut down.

Hostess said it made the decision Thursday evening and issued the following statements on its website Friday:

We are sorry to announce that Hostess Brands, Inc. has been forced by a Bakers Union strike to shut down all operations and sell all company assets. 

Hostess Brands Inc. today announced that it is winding down operations and has filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeking permission to close its business and sell its assets, including its iconic brands and facilities. Bakery operations have been suspended at all plants. Delivery of products will continue and Hostess Brands retail stores will remain open for several days in order to sell already-baked products.

The Hostess store on Manchester Road is hopping Friday as customers scramble to get the last of their favorite bakery treats.

Located outside Des Peres at 13885 Manchester Rd., store manager Patty Bartholome said the store has been in that location for approximately 40 years.

Bartholome said she's worked for the company for 19 years and had no idea the company was closing until she heard it on the news.

"Today is there last day. They will not be delivering. They will not be baking. Company is closing," Bartholome tells Patch.

She said she doesn't know much more than that. She and other employees don't even know their last day.

"Nobody knows right now. I've tried to call my boss. I can't get a hold of him. I don't have any answers, nobody does," Bartholome said. "When the doors are locked, I won't come in any more. That's probably how they will do it us."

She estimates the West County location off Manchester Road houses 36 to 40 employees who will be affected by the closure.

"The Company’s motion asks the Court for authority to continue to pay employees whose services are required during the wind-down period," the Hostess website states.