In a delightful nod to its origins, the Planters NUTmobile made a celebrated return to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, drawing peanut enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The iconic nutty vehicle commemorates the 120th anniversary of Planters, which was founded in the city, with multiple stops scheduled throughout the area.
Thom Greco, CEO and chairperson of Wilkes-Barre Metropolitan Development, emphasized the significance of this event. “It’s the next step is us reclaiming Planters Peanuts’ history with the city of Wilkes-Barre,” he stated, highlighting the effort to reconnect the brand with its roots.
Friday saw a gathering of excited locals at 77 E. Market St., where the first Planters Peanut store once stood. Among the attendees was Dave Palovchak from Swoyersville, a self-proclaimed history lover who donned Planters-themed socks for the occasion. “I love history,” Palovchak shared, expressing excitement at the opportunity to explore the past so close to home. “I got the tour in the inside, and it was pretty exciting,” he added.
The Peanutters and the NUTmobile
The NUTmobile is navigated by a team of three “Peanutters,” with this year’s crew being entirely female for the first time. Courtney “Coconut” Donohue from Oriskany, N.Y., shared her journey to becoming a Peanutter. “I guess you have to be a little bit nuts to get it,” she quipped, describing her creative video application. The vehicle’s operation requires no special license, though drivers undergo training to handle its unique dimensions with the assistance of mirrors and cameras.
In just over a month, Donohue and her team have traveled through 13 states, aiming to reach 40 by year-end. Their Wilkes-Barre visit included distributing stickers and nuts, engaging with attendees, and offering tours inside the NUTmobile, where visitors could see a timeline of the 110-year-old Mr. Peanut mascot, along with themed decor.
“Being here, where Planters was founded, is amazing for us,” Donohue remarked. “As excited as we are to be here, it’s exciting to see how excited the community is to have us.”
“This has always been the beginning”
Planters’ rich history was founded in Wilkes-Barre in 1906 by Amedeo Obici, an Italian immigrant, and his partner, Mario Peruzzi. Obici initially sold roasted peanuts at his fruit stand in the city, with the first headquarters located at 632 S. Main St. “This has always been the beginning,” Greco stated, underscoring the nonprofit’s efforts to honor the brand’s origins.
The weekend festivities kicked off at Building Blocks Learning Center on Friday morning, where Mr. Peanut mingled with families. The NUTmobile was later displayed trackside at Mohegan Pennsylvania that evening. Saturday’s highlight will be the unveiling of a permanent Planters historical display at Peoples Security Bank and Trust, with plans for a 25-foot-tall Mr. Peanut statue to be completed by the end of summer.
The celebrations continue with Mr. Peanut serving as a ceremonial starter at the Giants Despair Hillclimb on Saturday and Sunday morning, accompanied by a special NUTmobile appearance. On Sunday, the festivities will culminate at one of the original Planters Peanut Shoppes locations in Edwardsville at 12:30 p.m.
