Town honors Planters founder

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — The Italian immigrant who launched Planters Peanuts into a worldwide business has been recognized in his adopted hometown.

About 100 people gathered Saturday outside the peanut giant’s former world headquarters for the unveiling of a state historical marker to honor Amedeo Obici.

Obici moved to the United States at age 12, speaking no English. He went on to grow his fresh-roasted peanut business from a small pushcart in downtown Wilkes-Barre to a corporate behemoth that thrives today.

“I don’t believe many people know Planters began in Wilkes-Barre. This marker gives you a little peek at the story,” said Andrea MacDonald, of the state Bureau of Historic Preservation.

The office building on South Main Street served as Planters’ corporate headquarters from 1925 to 1961. The company, which changed hands several times, is now owned by Kraft Foods.

Obici died in 1947. His great-niece, Jolyne R. Dalzell, attended the ceremony and said she was proud.

“This is fabulous for the family, all the people who worked at Planters and the city,” Dalzell said. “He worked hard. He was very generous.”

Despite widespread objections, Wilkes-Barre City Council voted last year to sell the Planters building to a developer for $230,000 for a planned strip mall. The developer agreed to preserve the façade, which still reads “Planters Nut and Chocolate Company.”