Jewel sells out of Hostess goodies; eBay cranks up stash

Just call it Black Tuesday in the grocery business.

Jewel-Osco stores around the suburbs saw Hostess snack cakes selling out to lines of eager customers soon after hitting the shelves Tuesday.

Even eBay listed more than 4,800 entries of Twinkies being sold online.

“When I went to lunch at about 1 p.m., some of the stores were still waiting for their Hostess shipments. Once they have them and the products are available to customers, I think it's safe to say they'll go quickly, too,” said Jewel-Osco spokeswoman Karen May.

The Itasca-based grocery chain began shipping those last products on Tuesday to stores in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. It was first come, first served and consumers took full advantage of that, May said.

Jewel-Osco's deal with Hostess included 21,780 units of classic Twinkies in 10-packs. Each 10-pack was sold at the regular price of $4.29. Besides those cream-filled yellow cakes, Jewel also sold Orange Cupcakes, Ding Dongs and a variety of Zingers. All were sold at regular prices, May said.

In late November, Hostess Brands Inc. announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York had approved its emergency interim motion to wind down its business and the sale of its assets. The judge approved the motion after the company and the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers Union were unable to reach an agreement, Hostess said in a statement. Hostess began winding down the company after a nationwide strike initiated by the union that started on Nov. 9.

You can get updates on how to get more Twinkies now on eBay or follow Jewel-Osco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jewelosco.