Fernandez family opens second business in South Hadley

Date: 8/8/2014

SOUTH HADLEY – One of Holyoke’s most popular Spanish food restaurants is branching out into South Hadley.

The Fernandez family, owners of the Fernandez Family Restaurant in Holyoke, cut the ribbon for Elegancia Banquet Event & Meeting Room on July 31.

“We have been looking for a location for two years,” Co-owner Ada Fernandez-Rodriguez said. “This place has a lot of potential. We took into perspective what we can offer to South Hadley. We can contribute to the community [and offer] great jobs.”
   
The facility has created eight jobs, but Fernandez-Rodriguez said that there is potential for it to grow to more than 15 positions in time as plans are in the works to open up a restaurant in the front of the building within the next 12 to 18 months.
   
She co-owns Elegancia with her sisters, Jacqueline Fernandez and Ivelis Fernandez-Almodovar and they attribute all their knowledge to their parents, Rafael and Ada, who have owned the Holyoke business for more than 26 years. The new building will be similar to the Holyoke branch.
   
“We’re known for a nice environment, homemade, good food, and people seem to like it so we’re doing that,” Fernandez-Rodriguez said.
   
One of the qualities that make the Fernandez family so successful is that they are in their restaurant working shifts and serving their patrons on a daily basis.
   
“We’re very family oriented. It’s made us successful over the years. People like to see us working and succeeding together. We become part of [your] family for the day [that you’re with us],” she explained.
   
Elegancia can accommodate 200 people and host a variety of events including weddings, birthdays, quinceaneras, reunions, funeral receptions, family events and business meetings. While the family is known for their outstanding Spanish cuisine, there will be American food available for banquets as well.
   
South Hadley Town Administrator Michael Sullivan is excited about what the Fernandez family brings to the area.
   
“This is a great opportunity for South Hadley. The surroundings are beautiful [and] the work put in signifies how dedicated [they are] to the craft,” Sullivan said. “This has been a derelict property for seven years. Today it has jobs; entertainment, the opportunity bodes well for the future of South Hadley.”
   
He is also hopeful that Elegancia will provide an economical boost to both South Hadley by drawing in customers from across the river.
   
“It’s a nice draw for people in Holyoke to come over to South Hadley because they’re more familiar with the food that’s successful in Holyoke,” Sullivan  said.
   
Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse added, “[The Fernandez family] has been in Holyoke many years [and] are one of the most popular places to eat in Holyoke. They’re hardworking business owners [and] they really build business[es] from the ground up. I wanted to make sure I was here to show support on behalf of the city of Holyoke.”
   
Elegancia is located at 506 Granby Road. Those interested in additional information about reservations and events can call 650-0057 or by visiting the Elegancia Facebook page, Elegancia Banquet.