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THE FACES OF HOLYOKE BUSINESS >>
Nick’s Nest
Area Residents Relish Visits to This Holyoke Landmark
If you’re looking for perhaps the most iconic hot dog this side of Fenway, look no further than Nick’s Nest — a Holyoke landmark
since 1921.
What originally started as a simple popcorn
cart evolved into the well-known hot dog stand it is today, more than a century later. It started when founder Nick Malfas was told by his wife that the original location looked like a little bird’s nest — and the name ‘Nick’s Nest’ stuck.
The current owners of 18 years are Jenn and Kevin Chateauneuf.
“We always worked in the restaurant busi- ness; my husband was a bartender, and I was a waitress,” Jenn said. “We always wanted to venture out and own our own place. I’m from Holyoke, he’s from South Hadley, so obviously we knew of Nick’s Nest. When it came up for sale, we just jumped at the opportunity.”
Nick’s Nest has been at its current loca- tion on Northampton Street since 1948, but Jenn and Kevin have since expanded the menu from its original offerings. “Our specialty is hot dogs; when we bought the place, it was hot dogs, baked beans, and popcorn,” she explained. “We’ve added french fries, onion
rings, homemade soups ... we have homemade potato salad, homemade macaroni salad.”
Nick’s Nest continues to be the area’s go-to destination for hot dogs. In fact, the venerable eatery has won ‘best hot dog’ honors in the Valley Advocate’s reader poll every one of the 18 years the Chateauneufs have owned the restaurant.
In addition to its food offerings, Nick’s Nest has an assortment of branded merchandise including T-shirts and hats that display the name of the establishment along with its slo- gan — “A Holyoke Tradition” — for patrons
to proudly show their love of good food and community.
Though Nick’s Nest has achieved much success over the years, Chateauneuf noted that it hasn’t been without its fair share of trials.
“We try to do a lot for the community because, obviously, they support us,” she said. “They were tremendous through COVID. We’re happy that we’re still standing after those couple of years because a lot of small businesses can’t say that.” BW
—Elizabeth Sears
Co-owner Jenn Chateauneuf
Star Dancers Unity
This Business Helps Young People Take Positive Steps
Alex Saldaña has made important moves to improve his community — dance moves, that is. He’s been the owner and operator of Star Dancers Unity on High Street in Holyoke for the past 10 years. He originally became an enrichment dance instructor for Holyoke Public Schools, which is what inspired him to open his own business.
“I pretty much didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” he said. “But it’s just finding the opportu- nity — to be able to open a center in our community for youth that can benefit from dance services.”
Saldaña knew he wanted to use his background in dancing for good within the community, and he envi- sioned a space where area young people could go, noting high rates of teen pregnancy at the time of the studio’s opening.
“My inspiration was to be able to help some of those kids get some different activities besides being on the streets or doing things other than being pro- ductive in the community,” he said.
Star Dancers Unity currently has 65 students enrolled, said Saldaña, adding that Holyoke has been a great place to run his growing dance studio.
“The community has been supportive of my busi- ness, and also the aspect of understanding that
I serve not just the youth but families in povery,”
he explained. “I try to keep my tuition in a reason- able price range where it could be affordable to all
families.”
As an extension of this work, Saldaña has taught
salsa and hip hop for Holyoke Public Schools, and has been a visiting teacher in local afterschool and summer programs throughout the region. Currently, he works as a family coordinator for Holyoke Public Schools.
Star Dancers Unity not only participates in dance competitions, but is involved in many community events as well, from Celebrate Holyoke to perfor-
mances at Holyoke High School for Hispanic Heri- tage Month.
“We partner up with different art pageants and
do things for the schools,” Saldaña said. “When they have cultural diversity times, we also do presentations there.”
Clearly, by creating a safe, inclusive space, Star Dancers Unity is offering young people much more
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than dance lessons. BW
—Elizabeth Sears