Lizotte Glass (1944 - 2026+)

The year was 1944, and Louis Philip "Phil" Lizotte was ready to open his own glass business. He had worked for his father from 1923 to 1937 at Holyoke City Glass Company. He had operated Paper City Paint & Specialty Company from 1937 to 1944 at the 525 High Street glass company location. 

Phil Lizotte was born in Chicopee on October 24, 1904, to Archie and Alma (Belle-Isle) Lizotte. At the age of 19, he worked for his father, Archie T. Lizotte, at Holyoke City Glass Company at 525 High Street, 

On March 29, 1944, L. Philip Lizotte purchased a commercial building at 388 Race Street from Max Epstein. On early 20th-century maps, this parcel is shown as 112-113 Race Street. Outfitting the space for the glass business was completed within a few months, and the business opened in July 1944. 

The company's initial advertisement also identified a business associate, Felix Majka. Mr. Majka worked for the Lizotte family businesses from 1935 to his retirement in 1980.

The company offered a wide array of glass-related products and services. Mirrors were a very popular item, and the company custom-made standard or beveled mirrors. Leaded, stained and standard glass were also tailor-made. Structural, plate, storefront, window art and auto glass were available. The company also made shower stall glass and tub enclosures.

On Jul7 17, 1945, Mr. Lizotte purchased a 58' by 108' parcel of land from Max Epstein, adjoining and to the south of 388 Race Street. The plan was to build a storage facility for cutting and refinishing glass on the lot. Casper Ranger was awarded the contract to construct the $24,000 building.

The following is a sample of some of the contracts awarded to Lizotte Glass Company.

1948- Taft Oil Company, Front St.
1950- Holyoke Soldiers Home
1950- Allery's Package Store, South Hadley

1951- Mainliner Diner, 636 Main St.

1951- Galary's Cafe, Lyman St.

1952- Tire Center Inc., Cabot and South Canal Street

1953- Blessed Sacrament Church and School, Northampton St. and Westfield Rd.

1953- John J. Lynch Jr. High School, Northampton St.

1954- Joseph Mayer's home, Rhode Island St.

1955- Youth Center's children's store, High St,

1955- Jubinville Package Store, Main St.

1955- Park National Bank branch, location undisclosed

1956- First Lutheran Church, Northampton St.

1957- Acme Chain, Springdale

1959- United Cinema (former Majestic Theater), Main St.

1959- Mater Dolorosa School, Maple St. at Prospect St.

1966- Holyoke City Hall, fiberglass canopies

1969- The Highlander, 473 Dwight St.
1997- Jerry Rome car dealership, West Springfield

In 1966, the company advertised its original 388 Race St. space of 3,500 square feet for rent. The business had been operating out of 390 Race St. for some time. In 1983, Mr. Lizotte retired after working for 60 years in the glass business. 

The name Lizotte was synonymous with all things glass in Holyoke, the surrounding communities, and now Western Massachusetts and beyond. The business has been sold several times, retaining the Lizotte Glass name. We are now at 103 years for either the Lizottes owning glass companies or their name living on in the business. And why not? In Holyoke, the Lizotte name is to glass as Kleenex is to facial tissues or Band-Aid is to adhesive bandages.

 Citations:

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

Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee, Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories

Lizotte Family- Paper City Paint & Specialty Company (1937-1950)

It was 1937, and Philip Lizotte was working for his father, Archie Lizotte, at Holyoke City Glass Company. A new branch of the company was formed as a complement to the glass company, The Paper City Paint and Specialty Company.

With 13 years of business experience, Philip Lizotte opened and operated Paper City Paint & Specialty Company in 1937. The retail and service shop sold paints, painting supplies, varnishes, floor waxes, Venetian Blinds and other shades, screen repairs, and custom-built screen and storm doors.

The business is shown in its ads as operating at 526 High Street in 1937 and 1938, and 525 High Street in 1942-1944.

In 1941, the company offered paint and paper hanging services. In 1941, City Cooperative Bank awarded the business a $5,000 contract to paint the exteriors of 30 houses in Chicopee, South Hadley and Easthampton.

With rising energy costs, Paper City Paint & Specialty provided a service to weatherstrip windows and doors. Later in the 1940s, industrial spray painting was added to its services.

In 1944, the business relocated to 388 Race Street, where Philip Lizotte formed the Lizotte Glass Company. This branch of the Lizotte Glass Company operated there for about three years. 

The Paper City Paint and Specialty business was then sold in 1947 to Charles B. Allair, who moved the business to 660 High Street at the southeast corner of Sargeant. Lizotte Glass continued in business on Race Street.

The business remained on High Street for approximately two years and was discontinued. Dion's Radio & Television Service was listed as the successor occupant at 660 High Street.

The final part of this series focuses on the Lizotte Glass Company, a business which has stood the test of time.

  Citations:

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

Ancestry.com (paid subscription): Price & Lee, Holyoke, Massachusetts, City Directories