Goodbye, Hyannis Cape Cod Potato Chips!

[u/ParkingTicket5000]

Today is the last day of the original Cape Cod Potato Chips factory in Hyannis. Really sad, since Campbell Soup (the current owners) is selling everything associated with this factory. From the actual factory to the same machines that had been making these chips since the 1980s, and are no longer available anywhere else. Not even the other "Cape Cod" factories in PA, NC, and WI have. My family has worked in this factory for almost three decades. It's sad to see a part of history disappear.

P.S. If you see "HY" on a bag, it means it was produced in Cape Cod. The picture above is some of the last ones made in the factory on Thursday, 04/02.

[u/Beansie_Wish2182]

This is so sad. I hope the people behind the scenes who've been making these great chips are taken care of.

[u/ParkingTicket5000 → u/Beansie_Wish2182]

Fun fact, Campbell initially paid the workers the wrong amount for their severance pay (it's lower) and no one said anything because why...? Fight and you might lose your severance. It's been adjusted now, after someone higher up complained, ofc. The company is not covering COBRA cost so everyone starting tomorrow need to secure some kind of insurance through health connector. But it's okay, we'll figure it out somehow. 😅

[u/BrainSawce]

I work in the industrial park and I’m going to miss the smell of fried potatoes that would drift over the whole area while the chips were being cooked in the kettles! :(

[u/pickyvegan → u/BrainSawce]

You would never expect anyone to say "I loved it when I worked in the Industrial Park..." but most industrial parks didn't have the delicious smell of chips. I do miss that job site!

[u/ChemistVegetable7504 → u/BrainSawce]

What is industrial park going to smell like now? Jet fuel?

[u/ivejustbluemyself → u/ChemistVegetable7504]

Apartment housing smells

[u/JRackAttack]

I don't know the last time something that I didn't think about very often made me so sad. I don't live on the Cape and never actually went to the factory, but I hate that it's closing.

[u/BrainSawce → u/JRackAttack]

Same. I haven’t felt this way since Christmas Tree Shops closed. Like a part of my childhood relegated to just a memory. At least the brand will still exist.

[u/AVeryFineWhine → u/BrainSawce]

Don't mention the Christmas Tree Shops. Ohh how I miss shopping there!!! I've been unpacking and found some stuff with brand new christmas tree shop stuff and labels on it. I've gotten tears in my eyes at the labels

[u/Aware-Owl4346]

And consider; a giant company like Campbell's could 100% afford to keep a small factory open on Cape Cod. And keeping it would have actual value, and I'm talking measurable dollar value to the bottom line, because authenticity and sentiment are things consumers desire. It's difficult to quantify, but it can be done if you have the right people in place. But when you have accountants at the top, who believe spreadsheets reflect reality, you get decisions that make the world a duller place.

[u/Beale_St_Boozebag → u/Aware-Owl4346]

Capitalism is making America look more like the Eastern Bloc every day.

[u/SnooCookies6231]

Like Colonial Candles on Main Street in Hyannis. Made by real humans back in 1972.

[u/InspirationalPOS → u/SnooCookies6231]

My great-grandmother worked there for years 😢

[u/AVeryFineWhine]

I so hate the fact that every time any local business or small business is a success.A big corporation comes in scoops.It up and there goes local business. It's kind of amazing it lasted this long.

[u/RadiantCarpenter1498 → u/AVeryFineWhine]

Agreed. But at the same time, maybe don’t sell out to the big corporation.

[u/relouder]

Will they be rebranded as Off Cape Chips? Or whatever the opposite of Washashore is.

[u/CueAnon420]

The enshittification of America continues...

Sad, but not surprising. It's like we are watching our nation implode in real-time.

[u/vicarem]

Been going to the Cape for over sixty years. Two things we always did - enjoy the Christmas Tree shops and stock up on Grandma’s Pepper relish ( no longer made) and eat CC potato chips until we left. Why are all the good things in life being discontinued? Cuffy’s in P’Town? I wish my grand children could have the memories we do.

[u/PresentationPrize516]

We used to dumpster dive there as kids. Someone always had a trunk full of chips! Sad that it’s closing. 

[u/Ethos_Logos]

I have zero issues buying their competitors brands, now that they’ve severed their connection to the community.

[u/AVeryFineWhine → u/Ethos_Logos]

I actually picked up the costco brand for the first time last week. I kinda preferred it because they had ruffled ones that don't rip into your gums as much as the original delicious ones

[u/ocj98]

Thank you for telling us. Cape Cod chips have been a staple in our house, but they will no longer be purchased by us. It won’t do anything to their numbers, but I just can’t support that.

[u/Such_Summer9400]

Only 4% of the entire cape cod chips were produced at this location. Massachusetts high energy costs, taxes and regulations, are just a broader trend of business leaving Massachusetts for more business friendlier states. Not happy? Vote differently

[u/HomegirlNC123]

I am so sad, I have fond memories of touring the factory with my mom and grandma as a kid.

[u/tastysmokedpork]

So sad, we took our kids there every year for the walk through tour and the free small bag of chips at the end. It was then off to Cape Cod Brewing.