We drove down to the Flea Market on Rte 5 in Holyoke today. What a depressing scene. The reason it depresses me is that so many of the vendors seem downtrodden, and they look like life has gotten the better of them. We passed by one booth and a guy was saying to another vendor, ‘this morning at 4 am, my worker didn’t show up…then my babysitter didn’t show. Oh well what are ya gonna do?’
He wore a watch cap over gnarly hair and his beard tailed down into a goat-like point at the end, with a rubber band on it. He and his wares, bric-a-brac and junk from tag sales, looked very sad. While at the market I visited another stand that featured a bunch of WWII paraphernalia, including some knives with swastikas on them. The description said ‘New German’ meaning that they were made in our time, presumably by neo-Nazis or Nazi sympathizers.
Then our spirits brightened when we got to the corner of Rte 5 and Myrtle Street. A newly-remodeled former convenience store is being made into a great looking new cafe! We pulled our car around and went in to say hello. The man behind the counter was Tony Keane, Holyoke Ward 3 City Councilor. He said he bought the building and they’d be opening soon. That’s fantastic news in cafe-starved Holyoke. They will serve coffee from Blue Moon Roasters in Springfield, and make sandwiches and fare similar to what we offer at GoNOMAD Cafe.
Holyoke only has one place to get coffee, and I refuse to go there, it’s the ubiquitous DD. This new cafe will be called the Dam Cafe, and I think residents here will flock to check it out. People love a good cafe, and in a city of almost 50,000, it’s amazing that there aren’t more of them.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice title Max, got my attention real fast.
I thought you would be particularly interested in this Peter…see you there.
I cannot wait to till this place opens. The Tramore chip shop behind it is one of my favorite take away places and the owner there was telling me about a few months ago. I hope it sticks around!
Don’t plan on seeing this cafe listed in DOG FRIENDLY NEW ENGLAND TRAVEL GUIDE.One of the owners, has little tollerance for dogs, trust me. PO’D NEIGHBOR
Appology to the owner it pays to know the facts.Good Luck to your new business. I hope there is outdoor seating someday,where I can have a coffee with my dog and read the paper. N.Y.
I had a nice meal at the The Dam Cafe last Thursday, June 11th. After I made my way back to Boston, I realized I forgot my suit jacket there in the early afternoon. I have been trying to find a phone number or way to communicate to get hold of it somehow. I'd appreciate any assistance. Please email camv.biz@gmail.comCongrats on a nice cafe. The Reuben was very good.
I know it's waaaay after the fact, but here is the contact info for the Dam Cafe:http://thedamcafe.net/The Dam Cafe2014 Northampton StreetHolyoke MA 01040Phone: 413-533-1866Hours: Mon-Fri (6 am – 8 pm) Sat and Sun (7-3 pm)-Morriss Partee
Hi,
Sorry about your dismay at the flea market…in this economy..many who have lost there jobs etc..try to make a little extra money selling what ever they can afford. Maybe you should have stopped to buy some Blenko Glass or Amber Jewlery from the other 150 Vendors.. who wernt having a bad day. I find its been a great place to find treasures from all over the world…where MOST people cannot afford to travel.