There are very few, if any, bakeries throughout Holyoke's history that could claim to have operated for 75 years. Langelier's Bakery is one, and the quality of their cakes, breads, meatpies, and pastry items greatly contributed to its longevity.
According to Holyoke City Directories, Armand J. Labelle operated a wholesale and retail bakery at 48 Cabot Street from about 1914 to 1924. This was adjacent to the southeast corner of Cabot and South East Street. This was a heavily populated area with predominantly French-Canadian residents. The Precious Blood Church was located along the southwest corner of this same intersection.
In 1924, the bakery was acquired and operated by Ernest T. Langelier, giving rise to its long-time name. Mr. Langelier, a graduate of Thompson's Business College, was a former clerk and bookkeeper at the American Writing Paper Company. His spouse, Aurore (Simoneau) Langelier, was the cake decorator.
There was very little news or advertising information published in the Holyoke Transcript newspaper during Mr. Langelier's years of ownership. Possibly, the French language newspapers were the primary source of information shared with the customer base.
After 35 years of operating the business, the Langeliers sold the business in early 1960 to Rene Beauchemin Sr., a thirty-year employee who worked as a baker for the company.
The new concern significantly increased its product line and advertising presence. French-style meat pies were added along with minced meat, pumpkin, squash, French Apple, and an assortment of cream pies. The bakery sold a variety of elaborate cakes for every occasion, fresh breads, doughnuts, cookies and other pastry items. Baked beans and brown bread were a Saturday specialty.
In 1965, Mr. Beauchemin, a lifelong resident of South Holyoke, died at the age of 54. The business was saved thanks to Rene Beauchemin Jr., who, at the age of 18, had already gained five years of experience working in the bakery. His mother, Antoinette (Charest) Beauchemin, assisted with the counter work. Later, Laurie (Rodrigue) Beauchemin, wife of Rene Jr., was an integral part of the business. The business relied on its experienced employees to carry on operations through the unplanned transition from father to son.
In 1961, the bakery introduced a meat pie recipe from Rene's Beauchemin's maternal great-grandmother. Another French-Canadian favorite was salmon pie.
By 1976, the company was producing 250 birthday cakes per week and 1,200 different pies for Thanksgiving.
In 1979, Langelier's Bakery obtained a $120,000 Small Business Administration loan to expand and build a new bakery at 41 Cabot Street, across from its present location. Haber Sand and Gravel from South Hadley razed and cleared the existing structures to create the new building site. The existing bakery site at 50 Cabot Street was vacant and demolished by the city in 1980.
The new store opened on June 18, 1980. Two months later, a group of rioters wielding bats and iron pipes destroyed seven windows and a display case in the bakery. Damage was reported to other businesses along lower Cabot Street.
On January 20, 1983, Langelier's opened a second location at 521 Grattan Street. At the time the Willimansett Bridge was being extensively renovated. Many Holyoke residents used the bridge to access Chicopee and would seek alternate routes away from the bakery. Other Langelier's customers resided in Chicopee, and accessibility with the bridge out for an indeterminant period would mean a substantial loss in business. Once the bridge reopened, Aldenville's Langelier's Bakery closed in October 1983.
In 1992, a second bakery was added at 2090 Memorial Drive in South Hadley, a quarter mile from the Chicopee line. This was a heavily travelled road. A drive-through window was later added.
Another bakery was added in Holyoke at 486 Westfield Road in 1994, situated next door to the City Paint Factory. Four years later, with little notice and no lease, the Beauchmins were given 30 days to vacate, as the owner of the building was selling the property to the Holyoke Credit Union for construction of a new headquarters.
Laurie (Rodrigue) Beauchemin's father, Don Rodrigue, a building contractor, assisted in finding and outfitting a new location at 514 Westfield Road, the former Carvel Ice Cream Shop location. The business opened on July 14, 1998. The day before, customers entered the store to purchase donuts and coffee, and since the tables and chairs had not yet been placed, some sat on the floor to enjoy their purchases.
Langelier's Bakery's final day of operations was on January 1, 2003. A combination of declining sales, less demand for pastries and French-Canadian influenced baked items, and competitive circumstances led to the decision to close the doors for good. 78 years of serving the public with excellent baked goods had come to an end.
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Price & Lee City Directories, Holyoke, Massachusetts, Holyoke Public Library.
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