It will also feature a widescreen TV with news stories and footage from the MoonPie factory, the report said.
After a soft opening in late October, a grand opening celebration is set for today and tomorrow, the report added.
Customers will be treated to free samples, including the new MoonPie Crunch Chocolate Mint item, signature MoonPie-inspired desserts and coffees from Blue Plate, Clumpies and Greyfriar's, acoustic country music, books signings with author David Magee and opening weekend specials on select merchandise items.
Both days, the world's largest MoonPie will be on display, with a ceremonial "pie-cutting." Weighing 55 pounds, measuring 40 inches in diameter and 6 inches in height with 14 pounds of marshmallow, six pounds of chocolate and 45,000 calories, it will then be served to all in attendance, as long as it lasts.
Tory Johnston, vice president of marketing for Chattanooga Bakery, told the newspaper, "We get many, many requests each year from fans wanting to see MoonPie up close and to visit a factory store."
Chattanooga Bakery was founded in 1902 as a subsidiary of the Mountain City Flour Mill. A fourth generation, family-owned business, the company made nearly 100 snack cake and cookie items under the Lookout trademark, named after the popular residential and tourist community near Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain. In 1917, after a brainstorming conversation between a bakery salesman and some Appalachian coal miners, the MoonPie was born, and by the late 1930s was the bakery's No. 1 seller, a spot it still occupies today.
MoonPies are available in three sizes (Original, Double-Decker and Mini) and six flavors (Chocolate, Vanilla, Banana, Lemon, Orange & Strawberry). Its newest line, MoonPie Crunch, is available in Peanut Butter and Chocolate. Brand distribution is national, with particular strength in the Southeast and Southwest. The brand can be found in grocery, mass, club, drug, convenience, vending, foodservice and a number of specialty retail outlets including Cracker Barrel and Bass Pro Shops.
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