Jack & Harry's was a regional auto supply chain headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The store was founded in 1922 by Jack Kaufman & Harry Chernick. The company operated several stores in Rhode Island and several more in southeastern Massachusetts.
In 1954, an opportunity arose to expand its market into western Massachusetts. In May 1954, the company purchased the small Little Frank Auto supply store chain. Stores were located in Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield, and Northampton. Once the acquisition of Little Frank's Auto stores was finalized, there were five Jack & Harry's stores in Rhode Island and fifteen in Massachusetts.
The Holyoke store was at 213 High Street, where Little Frank's had operated since 1933. There was a problem in the short term. Ernest J. Davignon, a jeweler on the building's second floor, had purchased the building in 1953 with 30 months remaining on Little Frank's or its successor's lease. He planned to relocate the jewelry store to the building's first floor. Mr. Davignon would not renew the lease of Jack & Harry's once the remaining 30 months had elapsed in 1955.
Three single-unit wood-frame buildings in poor condition stood at the other end of the block at the southwestern corner of High and Hampden Streets. The buildings' owners, R & S Realty, comprised of Attorney and Alderman Samuel Resnic and Abraham Saltman, tore down the buildings at 161, 163, and 165 High Street in 1954. The plan was to construct a one-story brick and glass building on the vacant land to be leased by Jack & Harry's for ten years.
The building at 161 High Street was constructed, and Jack & Harry's opened for business at their new location on April 28, 1955. The store had three times the floor space as the former location. Additionally, the basement could be used if needed for selling space and storage.
The store carried a similar line of items as Little Franks, including tires, batteries, oil and antifreeze, games, toys, small appliances, gas-powered lawn mowers, bicycles, and many other items shown in the ads below this narrative. Tire installation was free and mounted at the rear of the store.
The company's slogan was "Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back."
After 16 years in Holyoke, the store closed on March 15, 1971. The owners decided not to renew the lease to continue the business.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.
Photo: September 2018; southwest corner of High and Hampden Streets. Jack & Harry's Home & Auto store location from 1955-1971.
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