Lansing’s Peanut Shop Confused, Saddened By Mr. Peanut’s Demise

Tammy Melser owns The Peanut Shop in downtown Lansing. According to the Lansing State Journal, The Peanut Shop started as a "Planter's Peanuts" store in 1938. There were hundreds of Planter's Peanuts stores all over America in the 30s and 40s. Not anymore. In fact, only about 15 of the original stores exist now. And even though they have no "official" connection to Mr. Peanut, he's still celebrated in the store.

But now, Mr. Peanut is gone. True fans are sad he's passed away and now just the subject of bad puns, as we await his 30 second funeral during the 3rd quarter of the Super Bowl.

In a strange turn of events nobody saw coming, the fatal Kobe Bryant helicopter accident has taken the air out of all the joking about Mr. Peanut's death, so a lot of the social media around the campaign has been slowed way down. The TV spot with the funeral will still play during the game, but Tammy is confused as to why Kraft Heinz, the owners of the Mr. Peanut brand, would do this. “That’s like dying off Mickey Mouse,” she said.

My guess, Tammy? Mr. Peanut will be back. I don't know how, but you don't spend all that money on something as awesome as a Nutmobile and just junk it.

Here's the story.