LITITZ, Pa. - "The spirit of American ingenuity is alive and well and living in Lititz, Pa, Home of Wilbur Chocolate," according to Wilbur's website. It will soon have to be updated. Thursday, Wilbur's parent company, Cargill, announced they will be closing the plant in January. The store and museum will remain open. The move will cost 130 people their jobs and another 30 will be reassigned or offered options.
"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.”
Wilbur Chocolate has been manufactured in the historic building since around 1900. In a statement Cargill said production will move to their more efficient, modern plants including one on the other side of Lititz.
People are happy they will still be able to get their Wilbur buds, they are upset so many jobs are leaving the area.
"We need to create more jobs. We need to keep the jobs we do have for the lives of the families, for the middle class people and people in the community," said Colin Peters.
Employees will be let go in January.