Hershey wins OK to tear down part of original factory

The Hershey Co. has won approval to tear down part of the chocolate factory built by founder Milton Hershey following the shifting of production across town.

The Derry Township Design Review Board has approved the chocolate maker's plan to tear down much of the East Chocolate Avenue building, leaving behind the iconic smokestacks and bushes that spell out ``Hershey Cocoa.''

Hershey shut down production at the plant earlier this year as it started up lines at a $750 million expansion of a plant in West Hershey. The company plans to renovate part of the remaining building and turn it into office space.

Previously approved demolition has already begun at the site.