Post-Sept. 11 security rules force Lodi Nut to shut down its gift shop

Because of post-9/11 security regulations, the Lodi Nut Co. will close its gift shop to the public, probably by the end of February, according to company President Kelly Suess. There will be no layoffs.

"They want to ensure that because we manufacture food here that we're a safe plant," Suess said. "Food plants have to register with the government. We have to have surveillance, electronic gates and employee ID. They're trying to protect the entire food chain."

It's not that there are new rules, but they're more strictly enforced, he said.

Suess likened his predicament to the increased requirements at airports.

If a customer wants to enter the gift shop and make a purchase, he said, the customer would have to register at the plant office.

"That's why we can't give tours anymore," Suess said. "We love to have the community in. We have had a lot of loyal customers, a lot of corporate gifts for the holidays."

Suess is disappointed with closing the gift shop because it is the only retail business the firm has in Lodi.

But Lodi Nut Co. officials had to remind themselves that the company's primary focus is on processing nuts rather than selling them on the retail market, he said.

"We're not a retailer, we're a wholesaler," Suess said.

Lodi Nut sells gifts from its Web site, but no decision has been made on whether to continue online sales or to end that part of the business as well, Suess said.

Lodi Nut Co. was founded as Stone Nut Company in 1919. The company was purchased in 1949 by Theodore Hochhalter and has been owned and operated by his family for the past 52 years.

Officers are President Calvin "Kelly" Suess, a son-in-law to the founder; Executive Vice President Virgil Suess, another son-in-law; Secretary Verla Suess; and Treasurer Della Suess. Rocky Suess, a third-generation family member, is vice president for production.

The firm, with about 100 employees, operates eight production departments at two locations. Departments include retail packaging, macadamia processing, custom dicing and sizing, customer separation processing, shell grinding, roasting, retail and mail order sales.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

Lodi Nut gift shop

The gift shop, which may close at the end of February, is at 1230 S. Fairmont Avenue. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 334-4888, or view the Web site, http://www.lodinutfactory.com.
Source: Lodi Nut Co.

First published: Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Reader Feedback

Morning reader wrote on Feb 26, 2007 10:07 PM:

" As silly as it all sounds for the reason closing. They had the best english toffee, and gift packs, bar none. I am going to probably be more fit and trim as a result of its closing, but you cant find quality gift packs like that anywhere. I hope we can continue to buy online. Damn nut terrorists ruin it for everyone! They are running rampant! "

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Snoopy The Beagle wrote on Feb 21, 2007 7:53 PM:

" What about the Chocolate Facotry in Clements? Sounds like they all have to close down. Someone might poison the chocolate! "

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blogger wrote on Feb 21, 2007 6:18 PM:

" Great comments, Much Safer. I know when the security people at the airport took away a 4oz. bootle of after shave when I could have a 3.5 oz. bottle how much safer it made me feel. Some of these measures are absolutley nonsense. Rules made by people that have never had any authority now have become dictators. Sorry Kelly that a nice profit cente and a nice place to shop was closed down. Rediculous "

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Much Safer wrote on Feb 21, 2007 4:14 PM:

" I can't tell you how much safer I feel now that the Nut Companies gift shop has closed. Perhaps I'll finally get a good nights sleep. Oh wait....they haven't closed Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory yet. Does the FBI know they still operate? "

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Bizarro-world continues wrote on Feb 21, 2007 12:07 PM:

" No matter how absurd the 'law', the sheeple keep obeying. Forcing a business to shut down a gift shop due to 'terror' is unconstitutional. Add it to the list of violations by our gov't. They violate the 1st Amendment by opening mail and banning books like "America Deceived" from Wiki. They violate the 4th Amendment by conducting warrant-less wiretaps. They violate the 5th by suspending habeas corpus. They violate the entire Constitution by starting 2 illegal wars based on lies. Re-open the gift shop. Last link (unless Google Books drops the title): http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-38523-0 "

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groc22 wrote on Feb 21, 2007 10:32 AM:

" Great, it's so much safer to close the gift shop, so evil terrorists wouldn't sneak to the plant and poison all nut eaters. However, it would be even safer to close down the whole plant - obviously, even more safety is much more important that some nuts. Federal Government should consider closing all but the absolutely necessary food businesses. That would have positive impact on the average waistline too! "

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Dan wrote on Feb 21, 2007 8:07 AM:

" quote: "...President Calvin "Kelly" Suess, a son-in-law to the founder..." No, he is son-in-law to the 1949 purchaser of the business Hochhalter, not the founder (Stone). "

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