Charleroi glass plant closes after 132 years

After a long and emotional roller coaster ride, the Corelle Brands plant owned by Anchor Hocking closed in Charleroi on Friday. 

The bell tolled for 132 seconds, representing 132 years that generation after generation worked at the glass plant.

"This plant means life for me. My grandfather put in 50 years here, I grew two streets up. I put in 35 years here," said Daniele Byrne, the vice president of Local 53G. 

"It's an incredible gut punch to the community. It's devastating emotionally," said Charleroi Borough manager Joe Manning. 

Acres and acres of glass making ground to a halt after months of a roller coaster ride of the owners announcing layoffs and a closure, only to call workers back when the company received an order that needed to be filled, only to lay off again, then call back again. That's what it's been like since last September. 

Manning says this time, it's for real.

"They're gonna drain the tank and close down operations," Manning said. 

The 300 people who worked at the plant, much like their parents and grandparents, now look for what's next. The borough is looking forward, too. 

"We have been approached by several companies looking to repurpose that site," Manning said.