King Ding Dong is dead…long live King Ding Dong!

Hostess Brands, citing a Bakers Union strike that began last week, decided today (November 16) to shut down operations and is seeking permission from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to close its business and begin selling off its assets.

That means no more Twinkies, Zingers, Sno Balls, Hostess CupCakes, Ho Ho’s, Donettes and Ding Dongs as well as Wonder, Home Pride and Millbrook breads.

And no more Chocodiles.

You’ll still be able to buy what’s on store shelves for as long as warehouses still have stock.

Then nothing.

My guess is that the same thing will happen with Hostess Brands that happened with Mother’s Cookies back in 2008.

They’ll eventually be produced by another company. Kellogg’s is now producing Mother’s cookies.

Somewhere, Little Debbie is checking the balance in her bank account.

To read the unfolding story, click here. Click here to read the letter to consumers from the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Rich Seban.

Update: Mark your calendars for April 5, 2013, which has just been named “Fairwell to Twinkies” night by the Inland Empire 66ers. The 66ers will give away a free Twinkie to the first 999 fans through the gate. The 1000th Twinkie will be auctioned off for charity.

Another update: Twinkies may get a reprieve. The bankruptcy judge has ordered Hostess to enter into mediation with the union. Hostess will head back to court at 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday (November 21) to again ask the court’s permission to “wind down” the company. Read more here and here.