The first half of the 20th century marked the growth of many dining and night club establishments in Holyoke. Live music would be played for diners' entertainment. Some of these night spots were written about in this blog, including Toto's in Smith's Ferry and the Shea Avodire at 47 High Street. The Roger Smith Hotel's Indian Garden, the Valley Arena's Circus Lounge, and the Hotel Essex also come to mind. The venues were also available for wedding receptions, anniversary parties, and other banquets.
One of the prominent ones that I wanted to learn more about, likely because of its intriguing name, was the Spanish Villa. The Spanish Villa was so-named because it was decorated and furnished to evoke a Spanish air.
The Spanish Villa was a restaurant and entertainment event spot located within the Hotel Monat. The hotel was located at 2-4 Main Street at the Mosher Street underpass leading into the Flats. In 1934, Joseph Weisenberg, a previous owner of the real estate, arranged with its current owner, Aimee Blanchette, to operate the Spanish Villa restaurant and nightclub.
The grand opening occurred on July 18, 1934, and featured an "All Girl Orchestra" with Eddie Lane, a pianist and song impersonator. The business was initially open Thursday through Saturday for dining and dancing.
In October 1934, the venue was expanded, and booths were added to enlarge the dance area. Beauty and dance contests were held with prizes awarded to the winners. In May 1935, Mr. Weisenberg redorated the facility and installed a new bar.
Mr. Wesenberg left the club in 1936. He later opened a restaurant and nightspot on Main Street in Springfield called the Spanish Villa Restaurant and Marion Cafe. That establishment opened in 1938.
Entertainment at the Holyoke establishment continued through the 1930s and into the 1940s, during World War II. The house band was called the Spanish Villa Orchestra, and many other bands performed as well.
After further renovations in 1940, the business was called the New Spanish Villa. In 1941, there was entertainment 6 nights a week. The club introduced Sound Pictures, where patrons could sing along following the bouncing ball, timing the melody with the lyrics. There were also films of musical and comedic acts to entertain the audience.
On May 29, 1944, a fire that started in the building's basement and was confined there caused $10,000 in damage. Fortunately, most of the hotel's 38 residents were at work at the time. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze.
On May 19, 1947, Aimee (Blanchette) Realty Corporation leased the building and contents to a new ownership group. The 15-year lease gave the lessee the option to purchase the building for $60,000 within 2 years of the lease's execution. There is little to report after 1951, except for a brief attempt to revive the name Spanish Villa. City Directories no longer listed the Spanish Villa after 1944, the year of the fire; however, the Hotel Monat name lived on.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
