Area shoppers stock up on Hostess products by the cart load

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. - The announcement that Hostess Brands, maker of popular snack foods like Twinkies and Ding Dongs, was going out of business, left many with a feeling that part of their childhood was being taken away.

Across the metro, store shelves were bare as shoppers stocked up on the decadent delights by the cart load.

Rachel Johnson, a Broken Arrow resident, fears it will be a part of her past that she will no longer be able to share with her children.

"This is a childhood dessert for me," said Johnson.

Instead of rummaging around at garage sales, she decided to visit the Hostess retail store in Broken Arrow to look for Ding Dongs and Twinkies.

Johnson purchased more than she thought she would, about $54 worth of various Hostess products.

"I even had to compromise and ask a lady if she'd just do the Christian thing and let me have a Ding Dong," laughed Johnson.

Yvonne Carreno also stopped by and managed to find a package of Twinkies.

"The very last Twinkie in the store!" Carreno said holding up the package. "It might be squished but it's okay."

But Twinkie lovers shouldn't fear.

It is possible that some of the iconic Hostess snack, like Twinkies, may survive if other companies purchase the intellectual rights.