One of the most unusual structures to grace Holyoke was Toto's Zeppelin Restaurant on Northampton Highway. In 1932, the Martin Brothers, Joseph & Albert, contractors, constructed a wooden structure intended as a dining and dance spot, but it did not open until three years later.
The building suffered fire damage in November 1934. By this time, Margaret Walsh and Holyoke Cooperative Bank owned it.
The restaurant opened in the summer of 1935, when several civic organizations and other get-togethers met for dining and meetings. As the city was at its limit for issuing liquor licenses, restaurant owner Salvatore "Toto" Lobello had to partner with an existing licensee to request a license transfer to the restaurant. After several months of filing applications and city officials discussing the matter, a liquor license was granted in November 1935.
Later in November 1935, a permit was granted to build a two-story addition. M. J. Walsh & Sons was the general contractor. Walsh had sold the building to Mr. Lobello.
The restaurant building was shaped as a replica of a zeppelin popularized by the interest in Trans-Atlantic flights during the early 1930s.
The Grand Opening was held on December 16, 1935. The restaurant had a seating capacity of 300, with dining and dancing on the second floor and a cocktail lounge on the first. An orchestra pit was in the center of the room. The restaurant was air conditioned.
Within three years of its opening, the zeppelin-shaped restaurant was destroyed by fire on November 20, 1938.
In December 1938, Mr. Lobello was issued a permit to rebuild. White Construction of Boston was awarded the $6,000 construction contract. The structure would not replicate the prior zeppelin design. The restaurant celebrated its reopening on February 9, 1939.
In 1946, a two-story brick-and-steel addition was permitted. Raymond Tessier of Northampton was awarded the $27,000 contract. A penthouse was built over the kitchen in 1947.
During the 1940s and 1950s, Toto's was heavily booked for engagement parties, wedding receptions, civic and religious organization functions, dinner dances, reunions, banquets, and testimonials. This was partly due to its capacity of 350 patrons, one of the area's larger venues.
A wishing well with a waterfall was located in front of the building. On Mother's Day 1948, it was dedicated as an Orphan Wishing Well with all proceeds donated to the Holy Family League of Charity in Western Massachusetts.
In addition, 1,500 could be served at Toto's Mountainside Grove which opened in 1952. The area was large enough to accommodate a softball field, as well as other outdoor activities. Mr. Lobello opened the area up on a scheduled basis to the City of Holyoke for summertime organized activities for school children.
In November 1953, 325 people attended a testimonial for retired Chief Michael F. Burke of the Fire Prevention Bureau. On Easter Sunday, 1955, 1,100 dinners were served to patrons.
As busy as the restaurant was, financial problems with suppliers and taxing authorities took their toll. Attempts to sell the restaurant during the latter part of the 1950s failed to produce a buyer. In June 1960, a court-appointed receiver ordered the sale of Toto's. In September 1960, the business was leased and renamed the Oaks Steak and Rib House.
The Grand Opening of the Oaks Steak and Rib House occurred in November 1960 after renovations were completed. On April 9, 1961, the Oaks Steak and Rib House was destroyed in a major fire. This was the end of the well-known restaurant and banquet house, which resembled a zeppelin in the 1930s.
Source of news articles: Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript-Telegram; publication dates are shown.
The following five photos are credited to the Facebook group, Growing Up In Holyoke, MA
1930s Toto's Zeppelin Restaurant (destroyed by fire 1938)
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