Southbridge Savings moves ahead with N. Oxford branch
Questionable neighbor is no obstacle
BY ADAM SMARTSCHAN
Southbridge Savings Bank president and CEO Philip Pettinelli has heard all the jokes.
After all, it’s been hard for competitors and friends alike not to crack wise when they hear about the location of Southbridge Savings’ planned North Oxford branch, at the intersection of Routes 20 and 56.
Right across the street from a gentleman’s club.
"The big joke is, are we going to put dollar bills in the ATM so guys can run over and get their tip money?" Pettinelli said. "We’re still going to have 10s and 20s. They’re going to have to be big tippers, I guess."
Non-traditional neighbor aside, Pettinelli said he sees nothing but positives in the location of Southbridge’s newest expansion. Construction bids, sent out in early May, were due last week.
The branch is due to open in December. Management will be announced in September.
"It fills in a spot for us," Pettinelli said. "It ties in our branches in Worcester [to South County]."
The bank, which has its main office on Main Street in Southbridge, has full-service branches in Worcester, Charlton, Holden and Sturbridge, as well as supermarket locations in Southbridge, Amherst, Palmer, Spencer, Webster, West Springfield and Worcester.
Southbridge Savings’ North Oxford branch will cover 2,700 square feet, the same as its Worcester location. Five teller windows, a drive-up ATM and night depository are planned, as well as a plasma television and coffee bar.
"It’ll be a nice little area for customers, if they want to come in, look at the news, read the paper and have coffee," Pettinelli said. "We’ve done that in Worcester and it worked."
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
0 Comments