FAIR LAWN, N.J. (WCBS 880) — People have been taking in the sweet smells of Oreos, Ritz Crackers and other tasty treats being baked in Fair Lawn, New Jersey for more than six decades.
But that all ends Friday, when the Nabisco factory on Route 208 shuts down for good.
"I know I personally look forward to the smell of cookies every morning and every night," said one local resident and employee. "It's a thing I've gotten used to [for] years living here."
When the factory goes, so will the 600 jobs the factory gave to the local area.
"I feel sorry for the people," said Vinny, who spent 35 years working at the factory before retiring about a decade ago and whose son is currently a bakeshop employee. "You have a lot of young people, it sort of was a good living."
The town and Mondelez have offered job fairs and résumé workshops to help employees find their next jobs.
Mondelez said the reason for closing the Fair Lawn location, and its Atlanta branch, is to keep its East Coast operations in Richmond, Virginia.
The company told NorthJersey.com that the Fair Lawn factory doesn't have the manufacturing capabilities that are up to speed with the times.
Mondelez spokesperson Laurie Guzzinati tells WCBS 880's Kristie Keleshian that any talks of jobs moving to Mexico are false.
"This is not about Mexico. No U.S. jobs are going to Mexico related to the announcement of the closures of these two sites and we are committed to maintaining production levels here in the U.S.," Guzzinati said.
Fair Lawn Mayor Kurt Peluso said there's already interest in the property.
"It's a great location and the value of Fair Lawn has skyrocketed dramatically over the last few years," Peluso said. "So most likely, it's probably gonna be sold relatively soon and then we'll have a new business in our industrial park that we'll be glad to support."
The mayor said he hopes to know what will be replacing the factory by the end of the summer.
Peluso said developers he has spoken to have proposed opening a Wegmans, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities.
"We're going to have a new business there that is going to support our community that we're really excited about. We'll welcome them with open arms," Peluso said. "To Mondelez, it's been a great 60-plus years. We're going to miss you, we're going to miss the fresh smell of cookies here in the town, we're sorry to see you go especially under these circumstances. We wish you would stay and continue to provide great job opportunities not just here in Fair Lawn, but throughout the Tri-State area."