New owner Rich Cummings tries out novel entrees at Blisties

To anyone outside of this particular region, the word “blisties” is likely meaningless. For locals, however, it’s been a fixture in the Holyoke vernacular and the restaurant scene for decades. On top of that, most even know that the unusual word is a portmanteau of the names “Bill” and “Kristie.”

Today Bill and Kristie Pelle have passed the culinary torch, but the Blisties name and the popular restaurant will remain under the new ownership of Rich and Elida (Juarez) Cummings.

Seeing Rich and Bill interact during last week’s transition, it was obvious that both men truly want the business to be successful so that it can continue to serve the people of Holyoke and the surrounding area. Each of them is also thankful for the support of the community — Pelle since 1987 and Cummings since Sept. 16. As far as Pelle’s concerned, he’s left Blisties in good hands.

Cummings lived in Holyoke for about a decade before moving away for eight years. Having lived in such places as Nashville, Aspen and Denver, he and Elida, along with their sons Ivan, Isaac and Ricardo, found themselves missing Holyoke and wanted to move back.

Cummings has been cooking since he got his driver’s license at 16. Over the years he’s worked at several golf courses, including Perry Park Country Club in Larkspur, The Pinery County Club in Parker, and Ballyneal when he last lived in Holyoke.

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