NORTHFIELD — Shirley Thompson was the first customer at Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s Northfield branch when it opened in May 1975. Nearly 51 years later, she now holds the same distinction following a long-awaited renovation.
The 91-year-old Northfield resident cashed a check on Monday morning and received a Chinese money plant from bank employees to commemorate the second time she was the first through the door.
“I didn’t really realize I was going to be the first one 50 years ago,” she said, adding that she has always preferred to bank locally, “because that way, I don’t have to travel to Greenfield. But I do most of my banking online now. That is, if I can get the computer to work.”
Monday marked the first day the branch at 144 Main St. has been open for business again following a renovation project that began the weekend of Oct. 11. The branch was closed for December, though the drive-up window reopened in January. The walk-up ATM is open 24/7.
“We’ve been so excited for this to happen,” Branch Manager Kristen Canedy said. “Our old branch, you know, it was homey in nostalgia, but a lot of things needed to be updated.”
Keiter, a West Springfield-based construction company, is handling the renovation. She said the majority of the work is completed, except for some minor outdoor improvements that will be finished when the weather is warmer. Canedy explained that the bank’s employees worked out of other branches in the interim.
“We’re really happy to be back open,” she said. “When we were at other branches, we were a little homesick. We enjoy helping Northfield, and love our Northfield customers.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Friday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m.
Starting Feb. 2, all Greenfield Cooperative Bank branches have new hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays (at all branches except the main office at 63 Federal St. in Greenfield).