There have been several stories written throughout this blog relating to record shops, television and radio retailers in Holyoke. Today’s journey takes us back to 1920, an era when phonographs entertained people at home. This is the story of the Oriole Music Shop.

Henry Frederick Pueschel was born on July 18, 1898, in Holyoke. At an early age, his family resided at 578 (North) Summer Street. His parents emigrated from Germany in the early 1890s, and by 1900, the family had 5 children. Albert Pueschel, who was Henry’s father, worked in the woolen mills as a weaver.

Henry Pueschel initially worked as a paper sales manager in 1920. It was on September 23, 1920, that at the age of 22, he opened the Oriole Music Shop at 392 High Street in the Maxfield Block. The location was formerly William A. Astin’s delicatessen and meat shop. The Oriole phonograph, which he sold, was advertised as delivering outstanding sounds at half the price of its competitors. The Oriole sold for $85 to $200, and financing terms were available.

The shop also featured Gennett Records to play on the Oriole, and had sheet music for sale. The store promoted a gift of 10 records with the purchase of certain phonographs.

In 1921, the store carried Delpheon phonographs in addition to the Oriole. The music shop also serviced and repaired the players. A major addition to its phonograph line came in late 1921, when the shop began carrying the Brunswick. This machine was unique as it could play records manufactured by a variety of companies. Other phonographs were limited to a specific line of manufactured records, which restricted one’s choices when purchasing music.

In 1922, the shop’s name was changed to Brunswick Shop, Inc., and Henry F. Pueschel continued as owner. Mr. Pueschel resided at 115 Westfield Road at the time. Around 1924, the Brunswick Shop relocated to 283 1/2 Maple Street. The business added pianos and other lines of phonographs and records.

The business continued to operate on Maple Street into 1928, and no further information was found beyond that year. The Maple Street shop was listed as vacant in the 1929 Holyoke City Directory. Mr. Pueschel moved to Springfield in the mid-1930s and subsequently worked as a roofing salesman for various companies.

Citations:

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

Hampden County Registry of Deeds, Springfield, Massachusetts

WWI Draft Registration Card

Google Images, Brunswick 1923 Panatrope Crank Phonograph