Polish-American Bakery

 The late 1800s marked the beginning of the Polish immigration era in Holyoke. Many newcomers arrived with the promise of work in the textile and paper mills. As the population grew, these new residents opened shops to meet the daily needs of the local Polish neighborhood, offering groceries, clothing, and baked goods. The opening of the Mater Dolorosa Church on December 1, 1901, was a major contributor to the increase in Polish population settling in the lower Hampden Street and north neighborhoods, once known as Ward 4.

One of the early Polish bakeries in Holyoke was the Polish-American Bakery. The origins of the bakery can be traced back to 1909, when Wawrzyniec Gwozdz, also known as Michael Gwozdz, operated a bakery cart. At that time, the main products sold from these carts were bread and other baked goods. He lived at 132 Maple Street at this time.

By 1912, the Holyoke City Directory listed his address as 28 Union Street. Union Street no longer exists; it was situated one block below High Street, beginning at Lyman Street and running north to Pulaski Park. 

By 1913, Wawrzyniec Gwozdz opened his own bakery shop at 158 Lyman Street. This was situated between High and Maple, and opposite of what would become the future home of the Polish American Bakery in the Dillon Block. 

In 1918, Wawrzyniec Gwozdz's bakery was established at 159 Lyman Street. He continued to operate there into 1922. 

There was a change of ownership in 1923, as Frank Przybyla, also known as Preston, was now listed as the owner of what was shown as the Polish American Bakery. Financial difficulties led to his declaring bankruptcy two years later.

Meanwhile, at around the same time, Peter and Caroline Tenczar entered the baking business. In 1924, they opened a bakery at 55 Union Street. The following year, they relocated their residence to 53 Union Street. The Tenczars remained living and working there until 1930, when they reestablished their bakery at 159 Lyman Street and their residence at 161 Lyman Street in the Dillon Block.

Peter Tenczar died in 1937. His wife, along with at least two of his children, Wanda and Edmund, of note, continued the baking and retail operation. Eventually, Wanda (Tenczar) Witzel and her husband, Warren Witzel, became owners of the business during the late 1950s, when Caroline Tenczar had retirement plans. However, as she enjoyed her interactions with customers, she continued to work several hours each morning until 1968, when she was in her early 70s.

In 1964, the Witzels' Polish American Bakery opened a second outlet, Warren's Pastry Shop, at 1330 Dwight Street. The shop featured breads, rolls, pastries, and cakes.

On January 22, 1968, the Witzels closed their business. They had attempted to sell the company for several years without success. The Urban Renewal Project was on the horizon, and the Dillon block was razed during the summer of 1972.

Citations:

Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.

Holyoke Public Library History Room, Price & Lee City Directories, Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Lead Photo, Courtesy: Facebook, Growing up in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

The sign for the Polish-American Bakery, located at 159 Lyman Street, is shown prominently at street level. In the background, the light-colored building with a rooftop flagpole is Kosciuszko Hall, which was located at the northeast corner of Lyman and Union Streets.