Nick Malfas first set out with his popcorn pushcart in 1921. At that time the family lived in a block near the bridge to Willimansett, down by the National Blank Book Co. Nick pushed his cart all over town but the Northampton and Dwight Street corner was his favorite because of the traffic on Northampton Street, Route 5, the main North-South artery in Western New England.

That was quite a haul from river level to the Highlands every day; Nick didn't need a Nordic Track to keep his legs in shape! In just a year he saved enough for a model "T" truck chasis and custom built a body for his popcorn maker. The truck made the uphill trip easier and faster and allowed Nick to bring his delicious popcorn to more neighborhoods in the city.

	In 1927 Nick built a small store on Northampton Street about 50 feet south of the present location. and decided to hang a name on it. Nick's wife is reported to have said, "What could you call it? ...it's just a little nest!" And Nick's...Nest was born.
Nick, Mrs. Malfas, the first store, and the 1922 Ford Model "T" truck. [Photo: 110kb, JPG format]

The business prospered, even through the years of the Great Depression, and in 1935 Nick built a new store nearby with a house behind it. That was Nick's Nest until 1948 when he designed and built the present store with a home over it for Charles Sr. and family. That same year Charlie Jr. was born. The Interstate, I-91, is now the most traveled route through the city and exit 17 is just around the corner from Nick's. Pretty good planning on Nick's part!

Nick -- at Nick's Nest #2, built in 1935 [Photo: 60kb, JPG format]

While Nick's great popcorn is still a favorite, Nick's Nest's fabled reputation has been built on their unique hot dog. Custom made from Nick's original 1920's recipe, it is a blend of fresh cuts of beef and pork. No trimmings or scraps. No filler, cereal or heavy spices. Despite the fact that low-fat was not in vogue in the Twenties, Nick's original recipe contains one-third less fat than today's average hot dog or sausage.

When, in the 1960's, Nick's meat packer went on strike, son Charlie Sr. closed the store for the duration of the strike rather than sell inferior hot dogs. In that six-week period Charlie developed the recipe for Nick's home baked beans which are nearly as popular as their dogs. Popcorn, hot dogs, beans and beverages - that's Nick's entire menu. And except for the beans, nothing has changed since Nick Malfas laid it all out. Third-generation Charlie Jr., now in charge of day-to-day operation, sees to that.

May 1996 marked the 75th Anniversary of Nick's pushcart origins. As they did in 1971 for their 50th, Nick's celebrated with a return to 1920's prices to go with their original product: ten cent hot dogs and nickel sodas. In 1971 they sold out in three hours! The event was a popular (and tasty) success, as expected.
	Crowds at Nick's 50th Anniversary, May 1971

If you visit Nick's,tell them you saw Nick's on the 'Net.