There were many banquet-style gathering spots and restaurants to choose from in the mid-20th century. Some that come to mind, and are featured in this blog, include: Gleason's Rathskeller, Mongeau's, The White Diner, Toto's Zeppelin, and McCarthy's. There are additional facilities to discuss.
The origin of this restaurant and banquet facility's name stems from the rare species of white mahogany imported from Africa, known as Avodire. The bar, booths, and other areas were furnished using this wood.
The owner was John Francis "Red" Shea, who attended St. Jerome's Grammar and High School, and was a sports editor at the Holyoke Transcript and wrote sports for the Springfield Republican.
Mr. Shea built the Avodire at 47 High Street for dining and entertainment. There was a second-floor mezzanine with booths, tables, and space for dancing. General Electric installed a comprehensive cooling, air conditioning, and heating system, one of the first of its kind in the city. The kitchen was also completely electric.
Shea's Avodire celebrated its formal opening on Wednesday, October 17, 1934. More than 400 patrons attended this event.
During the remainder of the 1930s through the 1940s, the Avodire was busy with pre-nuptial parties, wedding receptions, social gatherings, club events, political gatherings, industrial functions, and church banquets. Bands regularly performed for diners' enjoyment and dancing.
Mr. Shea died in 1947 at the age of 49. His brothers, Patrick and James, continued to operate the business.
In 1952, the brothers introduced weekly floor shows to entertain the audience. This included comedy, dance and floor acts from out of the area performers.
In 1956, the news reported that the American Legion Post 325 was interested in purchasing the Avodire. The legion lost its building on Essex Street to a fire and was looking at a potential new location to operate. The Sheas denied the Avodire was for sael.
However, in August 1956, requests for alcohol license transfers were presented to the city. The Avodire would transfer its license to the White Restaurant in Smith's Ferry. The Hampden Club, which operated at 21-23 Division Street, would sell its license to the Avodire and move to 47 High Street. The Hampden A. A. Club was losing its building to make way for additional city parking.
In October 1956, both transfers were approved. In November 1956, the Sheas sold the Avodire land and building at 45-47 High Street to Peter Luchessi for $26,000. He was the operator of the Hampden A.A. Club, later known as The Hampden Club.
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Morning-Union; publication dates and pages are shown.
Price & Lee City Directories, Holyoke, Massachusetts, Holyoke Public Library.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map 1956
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