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Date: 10/5/2022
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Walking the crowded streets and aisles of the Eastern States Exposition, fairgoers might be forgiven for wondering if they’d taken a detour to Agawam’s Main Street.
For some local shops, the Big E is big business. For 17 days a year, they move their inventory, or set up a temporary second home, just across the river, to take advantage of the hundreds of thousands of potential shoppers, many of whom have never spent a dollar in Agawam.
“There’s no [other] way we could get in front of this many people,” said Laurie Walhovd, owner of Great2bHome Polish Pottery.
Walhovd and her staff had packed up the entire store, in Cooper’s Commons at 159 Main St., Agawam, and moved it to the Better Living Center, which for two and a half weeks each fall turns into a giant indoor mall. Nestled amid the traveling vendors hawking sports memorabilia, kitchen knives and comfy sweaters were a few local shops like Great2bHome.
Great2bHome sells intricately decorated plates, bowls and other items from traditional crafters in Boleslawiec, Poland. Some are standard designs and some are “unikat” – individual, signed pieces. Walhovd has been importing Polish pottery for 32 years, and started her own store 15 years ago. She’s been in business long enough that she’s had a chance to buy back some items from the estates of her former customers. She said she’s glad to do so, as even used pieces are prized for their artistry and durability.
Though the Big E only runs two weeks and three weekends, Great2bHome’s Agawam shop is shut for more than three weeks. Walhovd said it takes time for the staff to carefully pack their entire inventory, bring it to the Big E and set it up – and then do the same process in reverse after the fair ends. Though the last day of this year’s Big E was Oct. 2, the Agawam shop was slated to reopen Oct. 6.
The disruption is worth it, however. She said she gets a different clientele at the Big E, and gains exposure to folks from around the region and even around the country, who would never discover her storefront in Agawam.
Out-of-towners are a big part of the business at the Big E version of E.B.’s Restaurant, though locals also seek it out for comfort foods like fried mac and cheese and fried shepherd’s pie at the fairground’s food court – and a familiar face behind the counter.
As the afternoon crowds thickened during Salute to Agawam Day on Sept. 28, Ed Borgatti and his crew were preparing for an expected dinner rush at the E.B.’s booth. Even with so many dining options around the fairground, it seems to be a popular choice for Agawam residents.
“Agawam Day is one of our busiest days,” Borgatti said.
The restaurant has been part of the Big E for 18 years, he said – half as long as it’s been open on Walnut Street Extension in Agawam – and he said his sales keep growing. This year has been “a big year,” Borgatti said.
“Every year I make improvements, because it’s so high-volume,” he added. “I’ve kind of got it fine-tuned. We have an amazing staff that comes back each year. [And] the Big E is great to work with.”
He said this year will be the last year that he keeps the Walnut Street Extension restaurant open during the Big E, however. Like Great2bHome, next year he will close his Agawam store during the Big E, to focus his staff on the booming fairground business.
E.B.’s operates food counters and beer counters facing both the inside of the food court and the main entrance of the carnival midway. Borgatti said the location is ideal to cater to families looking for a snack or a meal on their way to or from the rollercoasters.
Another Agawam mainstay at the Big E is Taplin Yard, Pump and Power Equipment. Though supply restrictions affecting the entire equipment industry meant fewer fairground discounts this year, Taplin was still able to field a full display of lawnmowers, snowblowers and other machines for sale.
Unlike an E.B.’s meal that can be eaten on the spot, or a Good2bHome soup tureen that can be shipped anywhere in the country, Taplin’s business is aimed more at residents of Agawam and West Springfield, who are close enough to build a personal relationship with the Taplin staff and return their machines to 197 Main St. for servicing.
While the number of people who are from the immediate area and also in the market for a mower is a small fraction of total Big E attendance, the Taplin display is as much an advertisement as a sales floor. Debbie Jagodowski said fairgoers will kick the tires and have a conversation with a salesperson, and will remember the name Taplin when their current machine eventually needs replacing.
“Six months down the line, somebody will call us,” she said.
Taplin keeps its Main Street store open during the fair, to handle walk-in sales and service.