Parle's iconic biscuit facility finally shuts down after 90 years

As the local train approached Vile Parle station, one thing you could count on (apart from the jostling crowds) was the aroma of baked biscuits emanating from the adjacent Parle factory. Sadly for Mumbaikars, that aroma will no longer linger in the air as the factory has now been shut down, reports Mid Day .

Such was the popularity of the factory, that people actually believed that the area took its name from the factory. The true fact however is that the factory took the name from the area.

The Chauhan family finally decided to pull down the shutters of this 87-year-old plant after taking stock of the production levels. The family found that continuing to produce biscuits in the 10-acre Vile Parle facility wasn’t commercially viable anymore, according to Economic Times . However, the closure process has been smooth. The 300 workers who were employed at the time of closure have taken voluntary retirement.

According to the official website of Parle, this Parle facility was set up in 1929. It initially manufactured only candies but 10 years later, it also began manufacturing biscuits. Today, it holds a 40 percent share in the biscuit market and 15 percent share in the confectionery market in India. Some of its most popular products include Parle-G biscuits, Frooti soft drink, Mango Bite, Monaco, and Hide & Seek.

Considering the place that the Vile Parle facility holds in the hearts of Mumbaikars, it was not surprising that many of them took to Twitter to express their angst over the factory’s closure.

a brand gave name, an identity to its vicinity and today its sad that they part ways. parle-g, vile parle will miss you 😔

— HIMANSHU PARMEKAR (@hparmekar) July 28, 2016

Vile Parle now will be without Parle...its shutting down. No Parle G smell while the train halts near factory after Andheri. CC @khanmvar

— Frank A (@Legallicious) July 28, 2016

The Parle G factory in Vile Parle is stopping business.

No more smell of fresh parle g :(

— Harish Iyengaar (@scaryhairyman) July 28, 2016