The favorable economics and a new building with ample mill space were attractive factors in bringing Holyoke Fabrics Company back to Holyoke.
The 60,000 square-foot parcel of land was located in the new Springdale Industrial Park at the corner of Race (now Beaulieu) and Stebbins streets. The contractor for the 30,700 square-foot one-story factory was Daniel O'Connell & Sons. This was the first new textile plant built in the region in several years. The building's construction cost was estimated at $70,000.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 14, 1955. Shortly after the proceedings, Daniel O'Connell's & Sons's equipment began excavating the site.
Holyoke Water Power contracted to build the plant, financed by the Hadley Falls Trust Company. The mill would be 240 feet long and 128 feet wide. It would be constructed with cinder blocks with brick added on two sides. Once the plant was completed, it would be sold to the Holyoke Fabrics Company.
The plant was ready for occupancy in late July 1955. However, a prolonged truckers' strike delayed the move's start until September 1955. By November 1, the plant had 50 to 70 workers and was running two shifts, with a third planned for the forthcoming year in the weaving department. Employment was expected to increase to 100 workers.
In 1957, the workers joined the United Textile Workers of America, local 1929.
The six companies that were part of the Springdale Industrial Park in October 1957 were:
Adell Chemical Company (Lestoil)
Gravure Engraving Company
Holyoke Fabrics Company
Holyoke Wire Cloth Company
Wrap King Corporation
The company experienced a 70% increase in sales in 1961, its best in 8 years. This was in part due to the production of fabrics for luggage and furniture coverings.
In 1965, the company received a $75,000 Small Business Administration loan to increase employment from 45 to 70, operating on three shifts.
The company transitioned from its long-time custom-made field to mass production. The custom-made field spawned cheap imitations, and Holyoke Fabrics Company could no longer compete with the knock-offs.
Production would increase from 2,000 yards to 10,000 yards weekly using the mass-production model. Plans were to soon increase this to 15,000 to 18,000 yards weekly. Employment grew to 65 workers with the transition.
However, times were changing, competition stiffened, and contracts and industries were lost. On April 20, 1967, Felix Brawer announced that the company would close by June 30, 1967, after sustaining losses over the past five years. The final break was a heart attack he had suffered in February 1967.
The 24 looms for weaving were sold to United Textile Mills, Inc. in the Philippines. The yarn department equipment was sold to companies in Canton, Massachusetts, and Oriskany, New York. The remaining unsold inventory was purchased by Millinery Supply Outlet at 386 Main Street, Holyoke, at the corner of Cabot Street.
Later in 1967, the factory building was sold to the Massasoit Trading Company of Springfield, a manufacturer of upholstered furniture parts.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories
Hampden County Registry of Deeds, Springfield, Massachusetts
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