"No Guns" bakery corporation files Chapter 11

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Interstate Bakeries Corp. (IBC), the nation's largest wholesaler baker whose products include Twinkies and Wonder Bread, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The electronic filing, made shortly after midnight with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri in Kansas City, listed assets of $1.626 billion and liabilities of $1.321 billion.

The company said it had a commitment, subject to bankruptcy court approval, from JP Morgan Chase Bank to provide $200 million to pay suppliers, employees and other operating costs during the reorganization. It said it would continue operating its bakeries, outlet stores and distribution centers.

Earlier this year, IBC-owned stores in Ohio offended members of its customer-base by posting discriminatory signs banning concealed handgun license-holders from the stores, which include all Toledo-area locations of the Wonder Bread Bakery Outlet, and the Wonder Hostess Bread Store in Madison.

As they struggle to reorganize and reemerge from bankruptcy, can these stores really afford to continue to discriminate against customers who have proven themselves to be some of the most law-abiding members of society?