Although Lititz was named “America’s coolest small town” in 2013, recent headlines indicate that it will soon be a little less sweet.
On Oct. 28 came the announcement that a landmark Lititz plant, the home of Wilbur Chocolate, will close in January 2016.
The revelation followed August news that BBT Corp. had acquired Susquehanna Bancshares Inc., one of the borough’s corporate pillars.
Many neighboring businesses have never had to survive without the employees of these Lititz staples, which provide a stable clientele.
The impact from future job losses remains unknown, but the managers of Bruno’s, a specialty hoagie shop, aren’t concerned.
“A lot of businesses in Lititz — that’s who we feed,” said Linda Kramer, whose father, Jedd Erdman, owns the shop.
Bruno’s has four locations in Central Pennsylvania, but its Lititz restaurant opened first, in June 2011. Tucked away on a side street, it operates primarily during lunch hours, Monday through Friday only.
The end of an era
Both Susquehanna Bank and Wilbur Chocolate have long histories in Lititz.
On Cedar Street stands the large Susquehanna Bank building, which was once a paper mill, according to Cory Van Brookhoven , president of the Lititz Historical Foundation.
Susquehanna Bank purchased the building in 1986 and undertook extensive renovations from 1987-89.
The chocolate plant on Broad Street has a much longer history. It began producing chocolate in 1900.
It was owned by a variety of companies, but eventually came to be the home of Wilbur Chocolate Co. in the late 1920s, Brookhoven said.
Cargill purchased Wilbur Chocolate for $51 million in 1992.
The plant produces Wilbur Chocolate as well as other Cargill cocoa products, such as chocolate liquor and chocolate compound or coating.
Is also home to the Wilbur Chocolate Candy Americana Museum and Candy Store, which will remain open.
According to Cargill spokesman Pete Stoddart, if or when the building is sold, Cargill “will also work with the buyer and the borough on ways to keep the historic Wilbur Chocolate Candy Americana Museum and Candy Store in its current location.”
Cargill has a second building downtown, which houses its administrative offices. That building is leased from Lititz Mutual Insurance Co. and was once the Lititz Rec Center. It is located on the edge of Lititz Springs Park.
According to Lititz Mutual CEO Henry Gibbel, he received a verbal notice from Cargill that the business is leaving, but had not received a written notice by Tuesday morning.
Cargill has leased the space since 1994.
Still, Kramer is aware of the effect of losing both a major bank and a factory.
“We were bummed initially, just for the community,” Kramer said.
A wave of worry
As news spread that Minneapolis-based Cargill plans to close the plant that houses Wilbur Chocolate, a wave of conversation followed.
How can one small town lose two businesses in such a short time?
Notice of the plant closing brings loss of jobs — about 130 from the plant in downtown Lititz, along with another 30 employees who will be reassigned or offered the option to relocate.
Another Cargill plant still manufactures chocolate in Lititz, on West Lincoln Avenue.
As for the bank, an exact number of lost jobs is not available, although the headquarters once employed an estimated 500 people.
“As we’ve said all along, BBT has retained all high-performing direct client-facing associates and revenue producers. There were consolidations in backroom operational areas where there was significant overlap with both companies,” BBT spokesman David White said. “This is still an ongoing process, and we’re continuing to work during and after the Susquehanna conversion to help affected associates find positions either inside or outside the company.”
Following the wave of worry has been an eerie silence.
The first question that lingers: Will Lititz still smell like chocolate?
It likely depends on which way the wind is blowing, considering the second plant will remain on the outskirts of downtown.
The second lingering question: What will become of the emptying buildings?
Although both buildings are older, neither is historically registered.
BBT plans to use the Lititz headquarters as a call center and for “other operations,” according to White.
As for the chocolate plant, the future is a little less certain.
“Cargill’s main focus right now is on the employees affected by these change and helping them with this transition,” said Cargill spokesman Pete Stoddart. “The sale of the building is secondary at this point. However, we do understand the importance of the building for the Lititz community and will explore all viable options with potential buyers, developers and the community officials in an effort to reach an appropriate outcome.”
A louder Lititz
On a recent weekday, the parking lot of Bruno’s was full of cars, with most of the license plates from out of state.
“The stores who rely on tourists will always get that influx,” Kramer said, noting the town’s tourist appeal.
And despite the loss of two businesses downtown, others are growing — and getting louder.
Rock Lititz LP completed its first building last fall and is already planning a second structure. Ideas for a hotel are also in the works, expanding the entertainment industry’s presence in Lancaster County.
Indeed, the industry is thriving, what with Tait Towers’ stage design, Atomic Design Inc.’s stage lighting equipment and Clair Global’s sound production.
On the other side of Lititz is Listrak, an Internet marketing service. The company recently made the top half of the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America for the second year in a row, according to Listrak spokeswoman Donna Fulmer.
Fulmer added that the company doubled its staff between January 2013 and January 2015. It is on track to increase staff another 40 percent by the end of this year.
The growth spurred expansion outside of Lititz, and two additional Listrak offices were added this year: one in Granite Run in Manheim Township and another in Newport Beach, Calif.
According to Kramer, the growth of surrounding businesses has softened the blow for Bruno’s. She’s feeding not only local workers, but also those in town to do business with global enterprises, as well as BBT employees visiting for training.
With all the changes to consider, locals remain hopeful.
“I think Lititz will rebound,” Kramer said.
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