Despite news that Hostess and the Bakers Union have agreed to mediation, outlets in Chula Vista, El Cajon and Escondido closed their doors at noon Monday.
Last week the Texas-based company suspended operations at all 33 of its plants, and all 18,500 employees are headed for the unemployment line.
In January, the maker of such iconic treats as Twinkies and Ding Dongs filed for bankruptcy for the second time in less than ten years.
Though Hostess brings in an estimated $2.5 billion in annual revenue, they were weighed down by debt, management problems and rising labor costs.
Employees at the Hostess-Wonder Bake Shop in Escondido said good-bye -- not to their customers -- but to the people who they affectionately referred to as their family.
Before the doors closed, you could purchase a loaf of Wonder Bread, a classic, for just $.59.
Now, a different scene: near empty shelves, which was unbelieveable for some.
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"We get about 20 loaves of bread every time we come and we feed the birds with it," said customer Kitty Smith.
The treats might be the best, but it's the people they'll miss most.
"I feel like I'm losing a lot of good friends because these girls were so cheerful and I've been so ill over my life and they've just, you walk in there and it's like walking home everybody greets you like they would a sister or a mother," Smith said.
"What are we going to say to our kids, you know, we can't talk about Twinkies anymore," said loyal customer Justin Yontz.
Employees at the three Hostess stores in San Diego County, told us we were not allowed to go inside the stores to get video, or speak with the employees on-camera.
We were able to learn, however, that local employees will be let go at the end of the week - many, with no severance package.
They'll be prepping to file for unemployment and hoping they find some kind of work, soon.
