Ridgewood Savings Bank Settles into Sheepshead Bay
(Photo by Ray Johnson)
Well, it’s been a couple of months that I’ve been watching this building go up and now it’s all built. It was amazing to see how a bank could be constructed, seemingly, overnight. The bank I’m speaking of is the Ridgewood Savings Bank at 2520 East 17th Street near Avenue Y (next door to Petco and across from Super Stop & Shop).
I kept stopping by every now and then to find out when they would be having their grand opening. I didn’t want to miss the “Free Gifts” and had dreams of getting a little piggy keychain, like the one I got at Banco Popular.
Read more about the new Ridgewood Savings Bank Sheepshead Bay branch.
A week ago, I passed by and saw all the grand opening signs hanging and I wondered how I could have missed the opening day. I don’t really understand how that happened. Wow, they really meant it when they said, “Watch For Our Grand Opening Celebration!” – I suppose they meant “camp out and watch”.
According to the signs they had up, they are promising to treat us all like family. Yeah, some family. Had a grand opening and didn’t even let us know by posting a sign with a date. If all your “family” wants is your money, then it’s all for the best if you missed the party.
I checked just about two weeks ago and the latest press release on the website was from March 31, 2008 announcing some free seminars, but nothing about a new branch. It was mentioned on the locations page that a Sheepshead Bay branch is “Coming Soon”, but with no expected date announced.
A check of the website today, showed that a new press release has been added announcing the branch opening on November 5, 2008, but that didn’t help me with getting there for the grand opening celebrations week last month.
I stopped by again, today — unfortunately, a little too late. All promotions have just ended last week. The Customer Service Representative who spoke with me, Mr. Cicco, was very informative and helpful, explaining that the Grand Opening week began on October 27. It looks like anyone interested in investing their money for about 10 years, missed the free Nintendo WII .
Mr. Cicco also gave me every single brochure that related to all my questions and then some, even inviting me to call him personally with any other questions. That is impressive, especially since most banks nowadays don’t give out their branch numbers, preferring to have their customers trapped in their automated 1-800 telephone cycle.
In this respect, Ridgewood Savings Bank looks like it will be a welcome addition to Sheepshead Bay. So, if you’re in need of a new account at a local bank with extended hours, a new pen, or a mousepad, you should definitely stop by and introduce yourself. While you’re there, grab some coffee and cookies and check out the FBI warning posted in the foyer.
