Lizotte Glass (1944 - 2026+)

The year was 1944, and Louis Philip "Phil" Lizotte was ready to open his own glass business. He had worked for his father from 1923 to 1937 at Holyoke City Glass Company. He had operated Paper City Paint & Specialty Company from 1937 to 1944 at the 525 High Street glass company location. 

Phil Lizotte was born in Chicopee on October 24, 1904, to Archie and Alma (Belle-Isle) Lizotte. At the age of 19, he worked for his father, Archie T. Lizotte, at Holyoke City Glass Company at 525 High Street, 

On March 29, 1944, L. Philip Lizotte purchased a commercial building at 388 Race Street from Max Epstein. On early 20th-century maps, this parcel is shown as 112-113 Race Street. Outfitting the space for the glass business was completed within a few months, and the business opened in July 1944. 

The company's initial advertisement also identified a business associate, Felix Majka. Mr. Majka worked for the Lizotte family businesses from 1935 to his retirement in 1980.

The company offered a wide array of glass-related products and services. Mirrors were a very popular item, and the company custom-made standard or beveled mirrors. Leaded, stained and standard glass were also tailor-made. Structural, plate, storefront, window art and auto glass were available. The company also made shower stall glass and tub enclosures.

On Jul7 17, 1945, Mr. Lizotte purchased a 58' by 108' parcel of land from Max Epstein, adjoining and to the south of 388 Race Street. The plan was to build a storage facility for cutting and refinishing glass on the lot. Casper Ranger was awarded the contract to construct the $24,000 building.

The following is a sample of some of the contracts awarded to Lizotte Glass Company.

1948- Taft Oil Company, Front St.
1950- Holyoke Soldiers Home
1950- Allery's Package Store, South Hadley

1951- Mainliner Diner, 636 Main St.

1951- Galary's Cafe, Lyman St.

1952- Tire Center Inc., Cabot and South Canal Street

1953- Blessed Sacrament Church and School, Northampton St. and Westfield Rd.

1953- John J. Lynch Jr. High School, Northampton St.

1954- Joseph Mayer's home, Rhode Island St.

1955- Youth Center's children's store, High St,

1955- Jubinville Package Store, Main St.

1955- Park National Bank branch, location undisclosed

1956- First Lutheran Church, Northampton St.

1957- Acme Chain, Springdale

1959- United Cinema (former Majestic Theater), Main St.

1959- Mater Dolorosa School, Maple St. at Prospect St.

1966- Holyoke City Hall, fiberglass canopies

1969- The Highlander, 473 Dwight St.
1997- Jerry Rome car dealership, West Springfield

In 1966, the company advertised its original 388 Race St. space of 3,500 square feet for rent. The business had been operating out of 390 Race St. for some time. In 1983, Mr. Lizotte retired after working for 60 years in the glass business. 

The name Lizotte was synonymous with all things glass in Holyoke, the surrounding communities, and

later Western Massachusetts. The business has been sold several times and continues to be named Lizotte Glass. We are now at 103 years for either the Lizottes owning glass companies or their name living on in the business. And why not? In Holyoke, the Lizotte name is to glass as Kleenex is to facial tissues or Band-Aid is to adhesive bandages.

 Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.

Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee, Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories