When Kralis Brothers Foods LLC, located at 2601 S. Tinkey Rd. in Mentone, sent employees home this week and shut down its operations, rumors began circulating that the closing would be permanent. However, according to plant manager Jay Boggs, the closing is entirely temporary.

Kralis, one of three poultry processing plants in the county, was forced to shut its doors temporarily due to a shortage in birds. Though the company has had to close operations due to fluctuations in poultry supply before, Boggs noted that each time it happens rumors of a possible closing begin to circulate throughout the plant. He insists the rumor is not true.

“We are not, I repeat, we are not closing,” assured Boggs. “We are simply short on birds right now.

Boggs noted the operations will begin again on Tuesday, July 22, and that all employees would be returning to their posts. In addition, Boggs said it is likely the business will be running a 6-day a week schedule to deal with the increase of poultry expected in the coming week. Currently, Boggs noted Kralis Brothers Foods, which processes meat from hens that can no longer lay eggs, employs a total of 150 employees and will soon hire an additional 35 employees.