Aunt Millie's to close Fort Wayne bakery, idling 91

Aunt Millie's Bakeries said today it would close its Fort Wayne bakery by April, and 91 employees would lose their jobs.

Aunt Millie's said it will continue to operate six other Midwest bakeries, and Aunt Millie's and Sunbeam products will remain available at grocery stores, the Fort Wayne-based company said in a statement.

It said Aunt Millie's would keep its headquarters here, which has about 120 administrative employees.

"Due to the current business environment and after undertaking a capacity and logistical analysis, we determined we need to close our Fort Wayne bakery," said John F. Popp, company president, in the statement. "This is a critical step in reducing excess capacity and costs, to allow ourselves to maintain our leadership position in the baking industry."

Popp said the decision was reached after thoroughly exploring other options.

For more on this story, see Tuesday's print edition of The Journal Gazette or visit www.journalgazette.net after 1 a.m. Tuesday.