AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) - The Federal Restaurant and Bar, a renowned establishment in western Massachusetts, has closed for good and is currently listed for sale. Loophole Brewing closes Springfield taproom, plans future Situated on Cooper Street in Agawam, the restaurant was known for its refined ambiance. It closed for renovations in February while the owners were launching another restaurant, Lola's, in Longmeadow. Co-owner Ralph Santaniello cited family health issues as the reason for re-evaluating their plans, which ultimately led to the decision to sell the 162-year-old building. Santaniello reflected on his 22 years spent at The Federal. "The first person I hired was my wife, I ended up marrying her years later. I had my twin daughters' first birthday party there. We have a lot of great memories there as a family. We owe everything we have to that restaurant. We made a lot of friends over the years. But it was the right decision for us as a family." Ralph Santaniello, The Federal Restaurant Group Santaniello says that they will now focus on their restaurants at the Longmeadow Shops---Lola's and Posto Italian. He hopes another family will take over The Federal and put as much love in it as his family did for the past two decades. Local News Headlines East entrance to West Springfield’s Mittineague Park is getting redesigned The Federal Restaurant in Agawam closes, listed for sale Center in Tower Square named after Springfield leader Lawmakers call for safer correctional facilities in MA WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.