For 84 years, three generations of the Malfas family operated Nick’s Nest, a Holyoke institution. It was a new age in the restaurant industry, with many national chain restaurants supplanting many locally owned and operated family eateries. Given this restaurant environment, it may have been understandable as to whether new operators would be interested in purchasing the famous, independently owned eatery.
Jennifer (Prajzner) Chateauneuf was very familiar with Nick’s Nest. Jennifer grew up in Holyoke, and her parents would take her to Nick’s Nest for popcorn, hot dogs, and beans. She attended the nearby John J. Lynch Junior High School and, at times, would visit the eatery after school.
Over the years, her husband, Kevin, worked at former popular Holyoke dining and nightlife spots, including Ronnie’s Lounge in the South Street Plaza, the Sandcastle on Northampton Street, situated in the former “round” Vanguard Bank building, and Stefanelli’s Restaurant at Beech and Sargeant Streets. As a youngster growing up in nearby South Hadley, there were occasions when he visited Nick’s Nest.
Jennifer, who was employed at the 99 Restaurant in Enfield, Connecticut, spotted the “For Sale” sign at Nick’s Nest. Wanting to own a place of their own and seeing the restaurant was up for sale, this was the opportunity they had been waiting for. After negotiations, they purchased the restaurant and real estate in 2005. They chose to keep their current jobs until they could see how their new business venture would fare.
They wanted to maintain what had made the eatery successful over its many years: quick service, quality food at affordable prices, and a friendly and efficient staff. They were considering adding hamburgers and French fries to the menu in the year following the purchase. Charles Malfas Jr. stayed on for a few weeks to assist the new owners in transitioning into the business.
An ad that ran in September 2005 listed some of the menu offerings, including hot dogs, baked beans, macaroni and potato salad, frappes, popcorn, and sundaes. The potato salad and macaroni salad were prepared by Marie Chateauneuf, Kevin Chateauneuf’s mother. The basics that brought the restaurant success over the years remained intact.
The owners were large supporters of the annual Easter Drag on Northampton Street. The event had been revived in the late 1980s during Martin Dunn’s tenure as mayor. In celebration of the event and to entertain the adults and many children participating in the Northampton Street march, the Chateneufs had a life-size hot dog and an Easter rabbit for all to enjoy.
What came through in the many articles that contributed to this story was their enthusiasm and dedication to caring for this historical Holyoke landmark.
On December 17, 2006, the eatery celebrated its 85th Anniversary, and hot dogs were priced at 85¢. For the kids, Santa would be present during lunch hour.
In late spring 2007, the eatery added a multitude of soft-serve cone flavors to the menu. A separate outside window was set up on the Dillon Ave. side of the building to place and receive orders.
In the summer of 2007, the photo below shows Nick’s Nest sponsoring a 12- to 14-year-old baseball team.
Later in 2007, French fries and onion rings were added. Times were changing in the food industry, as customers desired a variety of side orders to accompany the main fare. Soups of the day were offered the following year, also prepared by Marie Chateauneuf.
The 2008 edition of the Easter Drag featured a couple of new features. In addition to Shuffles the Clown, there was a classic car show alongside the restaurant, and fire equipment from neighboring Fire Station No. 3 was on display. A couple of years later, motorcycles from local motorcycle clubs were on display during the Easter Drag.
In 2008, it was the owners’ 3rd Anniversary, and to celebrate, hot dogs were sold for 3 for $3.
In 2009, Kelly A. O’Connor and Kristine R. Cholewa opened “5 Dillon”, a consignment boutique, which operated in the building’s Dillon Avenue retail space.
The owners remained faithful to the Nick’s Nest decor, preserving the eatery’s yesteryear charm. The owners did their best to keep prices affordable. They faced challenges with the rising cost of doing business. The price charged for a hot dog increased minimally over the first four and a half years of operation, from $2.10 to $2.35.
On Wednesday, August 17, 2011, the eatery celebrated its 90th Anniversary with 90¢ hot dogs.
Bumblebees, a women’s and children’s clothing boutique, opened for business in 2014 on the Dillon Ave. side of Nick’s Nest. The shop also sold gift items, children’s one-of-a-kind toys, jewelry, soaps, and sewings produced by a dozen local artisans. The shop would sponsor a monthly event to support a local charity.
The Easter Drag continued to be a popular annual event. In 2018, Nick the Hot Dog and the Easter Bunny were available for photographs.
In the final segment, the owners face a global health problem that has adversely impacted many people and businesses.
Citations:Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
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