A 'shellebrity' encounter: Planters Nutmobile comes to Charleston's Peanut Shoppe

Carl is one of three Peanutters who travel the country in the 26-foot-long Nutmobile, called Marshell.

According to PlantersNutMobile.com, Marshell is a custom-made vehicle that is 415 peanuts long, 140 peanuts wide and 180 peanuts high with a weight of 3 million peanuts.

The Peanutters’ goal is to visit all 48 continental states in a year, before the next class of Peanutters is hired in June.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Carl said. “It is the only one on the streets.”

74 years of nuts

Mr. Peanut himself travels with the Nutmobile. But due to rain, he didn’t come out when the vehicle arrived Tuesday.

Instead, Teddi Kimble, 8, wore a Mr. Peanut costume. Teddi is a “fourth-generation nut,” her grandmother Debbie Kimble said.

The Peanut Shoppe opened in 1950 as a Planters peanut shop. Delbert Moore managed it. In the 1960s, he bought the store. Today, his grandson Adam Kimble — father of Teddi — owns it.

Last year, Mr. Peanut visited the store by himself — the first time Planters has visited in decades, at least, Adam Kimble said.

“It is really nice because we used to be a Planters peanut shop,” Adam Kimble said.

In fact, an original Planters peanut roaster is still a prominent fixture in the shop.

“It has been sitting in this same position, not moved, since 1950,” Adam Kimble said. “And we still use it every day.”

The Peanut Shoppe was the first Planters shop in West Virginia. Over the years, there’s been a few more. But now the Peanut Shoppe is the only one in the state, he said.

To him, the regular peanut is still his favorite treat at the store.

“What’s more fun than just cracking a peanut shell and eating fresh roasted peanuts?” he said.

The Peanutter experience

Carl said this was the first peanut shop the Nutmobile had visited since this class of Peanutters started in June.

Even on a rainy day, the unique vehicle seemed to be driving some traffic to the store. Visitors stood in line to get a tour of the inside of the Nutmobile, which has a six seats, a television and seasonal decor.

Carl, originally from the Detroit area, said she’s enjoyed the travel experience.

“My favorite part has been going to places like Charleston, West Virginia — smaller towns or places where I’ve never been and never met people from that area and just seeing their faces when you drive down the street,” she said.

Her and fellow Peanutnutters Ryan Connors and Katie Krumpinski stay in hotels each night instead of the vehicle. That’s a privilege reserved for Mr. Peanut, Carl said.

Even on their off-days, they’re promoting the Nutmobile on TikTok and Instagram. Next, they’re headed to Virginia, Maryland and New England.

“I feel like a ‘shellebrity’ making people happy wherever we go,” Carl said.