There are fascinating discoveries to be made when researching the topics covered in this blog. This is the story of an early 20th-century auction company that transitioned over the decades into one of Western New England's leading dealers of kitchen equipment and office furniture. Part 1 takes us through the history of the Holyoke Auction Company.
Since 1919, Thomas Epstein and Abraham H. Adelson were auctioneers and sellers of used store fixtures and furnishings. They went under the business name of Holyoke Auction Company. Auctions were conducted to raise funds for the benefit of creditors or liquidating businesses in bankruptcy. Auctions were typically conducted at the sites of financially distressed businesses.
Holyoke Auction Company also purchased the contents of entire stores for resale at their shop located at 480 High Street. At the time, Frank Stein was shown as part of the business.
Their store's inventory included furniture, fixtures, cash registers, display cases, safes, lockers, filing cabinets, and adding machines. They would purchase assets from a variety of retailers going out of business, including those selling shoes, groceries, hardware, and clothing.
Having a store with used equipment and fixtures was beneficial to customers who were starting out in business and seeking deals on store furnishings.
In approximately 1920, the company relocated to 515 High Street. This was followed by a move to 524 High Street shortly thereafter in 1923, where the store remained for over 30 years. This was very close to the southeast corner of High and Cabot Streets.
The company also had large warehouses at 121 Maple Street and 56 Canal Street. It was estimated that this encompassed 10,000 square feet of space.
In the 1940s, David Slotnick purchased a half-interest in the company, partnering with Thomas Epstein. Mr. Epstein sold his remaining interest to Mr. Slotnick, who became the sole owner in 1952. Two years later, James Eisenstock purchased a half-interest in the company.
Over the years, the company evolved more into a retailer of both new and used commercial kitchen equipment and fixtures. This transition accelerated in the 1950s. The company would bid on major contracts to furnish restaurant and office equipment for schools, restaurants, medical facilities, churches, industry, and offices.
Some of their successful bids in 1954 included:
Ward 1 Elementary School, Westfield - ditto
Westover Air Force Base, Chicopee - Airmen's Club remodeling
St. Joan of Arc School, Chicopee, automatic dishwashing set up
Aldenville School, Chicopee - teachers' desks and chairs
Palmer School; System, Palmer - teachers' desks
In 1956, complete kitchen equipment was installed at St. Paul's Church, and restaurant equipment was installed at the new Mid-Town restaurant at 596 Dwight Street in Holyoke.
The work continued in 1958 with the installation of a kitchen and cafeteria in the new Athol-Royalston High School, the Streiber School in Chicopee, the Wilbraham-Hampden Regional School, the Williamsburg Congregational Church, Greenfield High School, and Turners Falls Elementary School. Also, cafeterias were installed at South Chestnut, West Street, and Morgan Schools in Holyoke.
In 1960, the corporation's application for a name change was approved by the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Office. The corporation was renamed Holyoke Equipment Company, explored in Part 2 of this account.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; publication dates and pages are shown.
Price & Lee, City of Holyoke (Massachusetts) City Directories
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