Constantine Charles Malfas was discharged from the U. S. Army in mid-May 1945. He returned to Holyoke to work at Nick’s Nest with his father. A photo is shown below of Charles Malfas serving his younger brother Nicholas Jr. a hot dog on his first day back at Nick’s Nest. Nicholas Sr. looks on.
In 1946, the business celebrated a quiet 25th anniversary as many were still adjusting to post-war civilian life or moving forward after suffering family losses.
Nicholas Malfas remained at 1611 Northampton Street until 1948. In that year, he partnered with his son, Charles Malfas, to operate the business.
The family moved the business to 1597 Northampton Street, its present location, in 1948. In May 1948, Nicholas Malfas Sr. received a permit to build a two-and-a-half-story building with the first floor to be used as a store. The building cost $15,000. By late October 1948, the building was completed and ready for operation as the new Nick’s Nest location.
The storefront was a larger size and modeled after the previous Northampton Street location. It was during World War II that the family purchased the land at the northwest corner of Dillon Ave. and Northampton Street.
Messrs. Nicholas Sr. and Charles Malfas, along with one helper, operated the eating establishment from 3 P.M. to 1 A.M. seven days a week. The busiest times were from 9 P.M. to midnight, when late-night diners or coffee drinkers would frequent the shop. A second son, Harry, also worked in the business for a while. He decided to attend and graduate from American International College to become a psychiatrist.
The famous elevated miniature bandstand, with a stage screen that opened when the jukebox began playing, was installed in 1949. Nicholas Malfas Sr. had also installed a pulley system to open the door from behind the counter for exiting patrons who were carrying food.
In 1951, Nicholas Malfas Sr. was struck by a car while crossing Northampton Street. He recovered and was later back at work. Formica countertops were installed in 1952.
In 1952, Constantine “Charlie” Malfas purchased the Tydol Service Station from Federerick W. Haas at 1607 Northampton Street on the southwest corner of Dillon Ave. He planned to continue working at Nick’s Nest while operating Charlie’s Service Station.
In 1954, Harry Malfas, who changed course and became an attorney, campaigned for State Representative.
In 1958, the champion Nick’s Nest youth baseball team made its way to Fenway Park to meet members of the Boston Red Sox and watch a game. In 1959, an ad occasionally appeared in the Holyoke Transcript that read, “Beware, Nick’s Nest Hot Dogs are habit-forming (good habit).”
In September 1959, Nick’s Nest had to close temporarily due to a meatpackers’ strike, which halted production of its special-recipe hot dogs. There’s more to come in this ongoing series.
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
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