Hostess Plants Are Closing Nationwide, Including 4 In Md.

GLEN BURNIE, Md. (WJZ)—An iconic American company shutting down. Hostess,  the maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread,  is closing its operations after the company failed to reach terms with its bakers union.

Meghan McCorkell has reaction from surprised customers.

We found these Hostess Donettes,  but Twinkies and Ho Hos are hot commodities as people race to stock up before they run out.  As customers realize Twinkies, Ho Hos and cupcakes will soon be off the shelves.

"It's like losing a child. This is terrible," one customer said.

For 82-years Twinkies have been part of pop culture.

"I had kids at school literally crying over the Twinkies, stuff like that," said Tiago Mendez, of Severna Park.

But Friday Hostess announced it would close its doors for good, after failing to reach terms with its baker's union that's been on strike for a week.

"The saddest thing here in the enormity of this, how many people are losing their jobs," said Chuck Black, Hostess transport driver.

As 33 plants and 565 distribution centers close, 18,500 workers will be unemployed.  And 570 outlet stores, including four in Maryland, will also shut down.

"It's going to hurt a lot of people. And a lot of people are going to be sad to see this place go. It's been here like forever," said Tammy Hogan, Hostess customer.

Hostess has local branches in Glen Burnie, Beltsville, Waldorf and Salisbury.

Some union members are holding out hope that Hostess will be bought out by another company.

"We understand that there is, you know, someone out there that might be interested in this company. This is a company that's been here for many years," said Salvator Perez, baker's union rep.

But Twinkie lovers aren't taking any chances. Five boxes of the sweet treats are now being sold on ebay for more than $50, as an American icon faces extinction.

Hostess officials say shipments of bread, snacks and other products will continue until supplies run out.

Hostess has faced financial difficulties for the past decade.

And the CEO warns the company will have severe limits on the assistance they can offer employees due to the bankruptcy filing.