Customers, workers sad about Hostess

MONTVILLE, Conn. (WTNH) -- The Twinkie and Hostess retail store have been staples in Montville for generations. Today both come to an end along with the job Peter Holden has had for 27 years.

"Kind of numb right now," Peter Holden a driver for Hostess said.

Nationwide there are more than 18,000 jobs lost and 200 in Connecticut at distribution and retail stores like the facility in Montville.

"They just say that's it. We're all done, you need to bring in your gas card and your keys. Gonna call it a day and make sure your stuff is cleaned out of the truck," Holden said.

Folks in the store know that when the shelves are depleted, their job is done too.

"Now these people are neighbors and they're going to lose their jobs. I feel sorry for them," Richard Visgio of Uncasville said.

A sad and busy day. Customers scramble to get the deals they have come to count on. Richard Visgio has been coming here since he was a kid.

"Well I'm on a fixed income and it will affect me 'cause now I'm going to have to pay big box store prices and it's going to be very expensive," Visgio.

"It's going to be missed," Kerry Davis of Norwich said.

News 8's Tina Detelj asked Davis if it helps her as a mom to have a discount store like the one in Montville.

"Of course and just the friendly faces as well," Davis said.

Folks grew up coming to the store and they also grew up on Hostess products. News 8 ran into a few folks who went to the Norwich store and then came to the Montville store in search of Twinkies.

"I haven't eaten a Twinkie in probably like five years but knowing that I can't have a Twinkie now, I have to come out and get some," Kevin Martin of Griswold said.

Martin didn't have any luck but News 8 did earlier.

"One of the last ones here so just for you I'm going to give you that," News 8's Detelj said to Martin.

"Oh thank you so much, one last taste. Oh thank you so much, I appreciate it," Martin said.

There is some happiness on this otherwise somber day.