It is November 14th, just over a week until Thanksgiving. As I speak the garland is going up on the light posts outside, and our gardeners are getting ready to switch out the mums for winter greens. I am thrilled to be putting together this first blog post on our new website. The hope is that this site will be informative to those that already frequent “The Shops” and bring more awareness to those who are unfamiliar with this gem of a spot in Longmeadow Massachusetts.
The Longmeadow Shops was designed and built by Presley Blake in the early 1960’s. If you are a longtime resident of Western Massachusetts, you already know that Presley and his brother Curtis are the founders of Friendly’s, a restaurant chain and premium ice cream brand that calls this area home. Countless people will tell you that their first job was at the Longmeadow Friendly’s restaurant once located where Ume Asian Bistro is today. Many memories have been made, and friendships have been formed through the years at The Longmeadow Shops.
Special thanks for Jim Moran for providing the historical photos.
By the time this blog post hits the internet, we will be in full holiday mode. Remember to shop local and shop small during the holiday season and throughout the rest of the year. The folks that work at “The Shops” are your neighbors in the communities where you live. Support them and their families by stopping by. We strive to partner with the communities that surround us. Please reach out with your ideas and thoughts. Although we may not be able to take action or be involved in everything, we look forward to partnering when we can.
Stay tuned for new things coming to “The Shops” in 2019, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up on the latest happenings.
See you at “The Shops”!
Melissa Pevay
Marketing Manager
Photo provided by Richard A. McCollough Jr.
