Van de Kamp’s Closes Its Doors, Hopes to Reopen

Van de Kamp’s Holland Dutch Bakers has turned off its ovens and laid off nearly all of its work force, but the 75-year-old company said Wednesday that it expects to resume baking soon under new ownership.

A union official, however, expressed concern that the closing is permanent.

Employment at the bakery, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection Aug. 31, has dwindled from about 500 a year ago to the current skeleton crew of 20.

Company President Robert Schott said Van de Kamp’s is negotiating to sell a majority interest in the business to a new investor. The investor, Schott said, plans to “make major capital improvements to bring production costs back into line.”

“Hopefully, we’ll be back in operation soon,” Schott said. “It looks good right now.”

The proposed sale and investment in new equipment, Schott said, should enable the company to rehire 400 or more of its workers. He said the company expects to make an announcement about the sale next week.

But Andrea Zinder, research director for United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 770, was pessimistic. “Before they filed for Chapter 11, they said the same thing. We haven’t gotten a straight answer out of the company at all.”

She said officials of her union, which represents 10 Van de Kamp’s employees, will meet with employees Friday to provide advice on finding new jobs, receiving unemployment insurance and getting into job training programs.

Van de Kamp operates out of its landmark Dutch-style bakery building in Glassell Park, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It currently is owned by Simon S. David, a partner in the Long Beach real estate firm Interstate Consolidate Industries.

Schott said Van de Kamp’s was brought down by antiquated equipment, years of too little investment in the business and what he called the most expensive labor contract in the industry.

Van de Kamp’s was founded by brothers-in-law Theodore J. Van de Kamp and Lawrence L. Frank, uncles of California Atty. Gen John K. Van de Kamp. The Van de Kamp family sold its interest more than 20 years ago.

In recent years, Van de Kamp products have been sold mostly in supermarkets. A separate company under different ownership produces Van de Kamp’s frozen foods.