Hostess Brands Inc., maker of Twinkies, Wonder Bread, and other iconic treats announced on November 16, 2012 that it has closed down operations. The company was founded in 1930. PRNewsFoto
Wonder Bread balloon pilot Chris Sabia is followed by cameraman Cordell Wolking as he and his crew set up the balloon for the Eden Balloon Festival in Eden Utah, Aug. 23, 2002. The inspiration for the Wonder Bread name came more than 80 years ago when Elmer Cline, charged with naming a new loaf of bread, was struck with a sense of wonder at the sight of hot air balloons at the Indianapolis Speedway. Brian Nicholson/Standard-Examiner/AP
Steve Winkelmann, 9, of St. Louis, Mo. chews a mouth full of white bread at a rally Oct. 19, 1992, in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Wonder Bread Company. The rally was an attempt to dispel negative attitudes toward white bread. Wilfredo Lee/AP
In 2006, Wonder Bread added to their line-up of breads with two containing whole grains. At left, Wonder White Bread Fans is made of 100 per-cent whole grain, and Wonder Whole Grain White is part whole grain and part white flour. On the right is original Wonder Bread. Larry Crowe/AP
The Wonder Hostess Bakery Thriftshop is shown at the Utah Hostess plant in Ogden, Utah, Nov. 15, 2012. The maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and Wonder Bread have shuttered operations that will result in the loss of about 18,000 jobs, including hundreds in Ogden. Rick Bowmer/AP
'Hostess Portrait of the American CupCake' by television personality Rosie O'Donnell. In 2010, Hostess celebrated the 60th anniversary of the squiggle on their cupcakes with a nationwide contest of "cupcake art" that included submissions by celebrities. PRNewsFoto/AP
Customer Nathea Cook examines the Hostess Cup Cakes she bought at the Interstate Bakeries Corp. bakery store in Glendale, Calif., on Aug. 28, 2007. Damian Dovarganes/AP
Hostess cakes are shown for sale in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005. The company was the largest wholesale baker and distributor of fresh delivered bread and snack cakes in the United States. Mark Lennihan/AP
New Hostess 100 Calorie Packs offered calorie-conscious consumers portion-controlled, snack sized packages, each containing three mini cupcakes featuring the brand's signature creamy filling in 2007. The Hostess 100 Calorie Packs came in three varieties: chocolate cake with chocolate icing and creamy filling, golden cake with chocolate icing and creamy filling, and carrot cake with cream cheese icing and creamy filling. PRNewsFoto/AP
A box of Hostess Twinkies photographed on November 14, 2012. Reuters
The financial fate of Hostess Brands still appears uncertain, but several companies are eager to step in if the iconic bakery fails, which means Twinkies and Ho Hos could live on.
For those panicked consumers considering a Twinkie bake set on eBay for some extortionate price, a word of caution.
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