Closure of the delivery service Yelloh (Schwans)

When I was a child, my sisters and I looked forward to the visit of the “Swan Man” every few weeks.

The frozen food and treat delivery service came by every few weeks. Mom ordered all sorts of things, including – as I recall – frozen stuffed mushrooms. Yummy.

And of course the ice cream. Swan's ice cream was the best at our house near International Falls. The frozen novelties were even better. I remember push-ups, ice cream sandwiches and bars, and other kid favorites.

One of my colleagues, who is now an adult, says he gave his coworker at Schwan's a house key so that he could leave his order for him when he and his family were not home.

Just two stories among probably thousands of fond memories of the 90-year-old frozen food home delivery company, recently renamed Yelloh.

Yelloh – previously “Schwan's home delivery” — is closed. Operation is terminated.

The Marshall, Minnesota-based company will close in November due to “several insurmountable business challenges.” Challenges because times are changing and customers are changing their habits.

Yelloh today informed state authorities that the company will lay off 176 employees at eight locations and cease all operations.

In a press release Managing Director Bernardo Santana said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have made the difficult decision to cease operations at Yelloh. We are grateful to our many loyal customers and hard-working staff for everything they have done to support us. I am deeply grateful for the tireless and courageous efforts of our staff and the dedication of our customers. It has been a great pleasure and honour for us to serve our customers their favourite meals and frozen specialities.”

Board member Michael Ziebell cited several factors the company struggled with, including:

— nationwide personnel problems,
— Disruptions in the food supply chain,
— changing consumer lifestyles and
– Competitive pressure, particularly from digital purchases.

The company states that the last day to purchase products through Yelloh Trucks is Friday, November 8th.

H/T — The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal (Paywall)