GUILFORD — A Maine factory that once made golf tees is being converted into a production facility for herbal popcorn and other healthy snacks.

Larry Fleming, the founder and owner of Little Lad’s restaurants in Portland and New York and Little Lad’s Bakery in Corinth, says he is close to completing the purchase of the plant in Guilford, which has been vacant for about three years.

Fleming tells the Bangor Daily News  inspectors from the Department of Health examined the building and found no problems with converting it to food production.

Fleming says he has 12 full- and part-time employees in Corinth and expects to add jobs in the new location, although he didn’t know how many.