Holyoke Shopping Center — Attraction in Holyoke

Welcome… to the Holyoke Shopping Plaza. A land of contrasts. A realm where Stop & Shop offers the kind of grocery salvation that makes you feel like an apex hunter with a rewards card. Where Paramount Pizza will absolutely destroy your sodium intake for the day and you will THANK THEM for it. Where Ocean State Job Lot exists in a parallel universe where time and pricing logic are irrelevant, and yet you emerge with Himalayan sea salt, a bag of socks, and a discount kayak paddle—and feel victorious.

But oh… oh the POTHOLES. These aren’t potholes. These are geological phenomena. Abysses. Portals to the underworld. Every visit is a gamble: will my tires survive, or will I be filing an insurance claim while sobbing into a slice of greasy bliss from Paramount? There is no in-between.

I keep coming back, of course. I must. The gravitational pull of this plaza is too strong. But if my alignment gets thrown off ONE MORE TIME, I swear I will come back again anyway. With vengeance. And maybe a slightly bigger car.

Minus one star for the craters of death. Plus four stars for being my weird, chaotic, wonderful second home. Fix the asphalt, and I’ll give you five. Until then—bring a spare tire and your sense of adventure.

Requiescat in pace to the ever eternal K-Mart, formerly of the Holyoke Shopping Center. May your blue light specials live on for eternity in the flickering parking lot light, if not only...

Grocery stores are all a matter of convenience and preference, but this specific stop and shop I have become comfortable with. I have 2 young children, one is disabled, and I dont have much choice but to shop with them, which can be stressful (pushing a wheelchair and pulling a shopping cart). The older woman who works at the self check out with the long hair (I feel so bad I can't remember her name) always talks to us when we're there. I have anxiety about shopping in big stores and have a specific way I do my shopping and check out she definitely makes me feel safer and more comfortable while I'm scanning and bagging my order. The store manager has also helped me out personally the few times I've had an issue with something, and he...

This is a classic strip mall in many ways, offering shoppers with low-price shopping and dining experiences. K-Mart, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Ocean State Job Lot, and Ikea represent shops where you will get the most for your money. Joann's Fabrics gives the crafter and needle worker a pleasant distraction. Just remember your smartphone so you can visit Joann's website for their 40% coupon! Dining options include a Chinese buffet, Denny's, Taco Bell, a classic pizza and grinder shop and a KFC. If none of these appeal to you, you'll find a McDonald's across the street and a short drive north into Holyoke will lead you to several more upscale...