Groundbreaking on former Edgewood Bakery puts Community First on the Avenue
Cold, blustery weather couldn’t dampen the high spirits at the Jan. 26 ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Community First Credit Union in Murray Hill.
The incoming credit union branch will reactivate the former Edgewood Bakery building at the corner of Edgewood Avenue South and Post Street, which has been vacant since 2016. Plans for this revival also include a pocket park where the street-front parking area currently sits, facing Edgewood Avenue South. The pocket park will also feature a food truck from a Murray Hill vendor. However, the announcement for who that might be will likely be made toward the end of the first quarter, according to Community First Credit Union President and CEO Sam Inman.
In his address to the crowd gathered for the groundbreaking, Inman said preserving the building’s history and fostering community interaction are priorities for this Community First branch location.
“We have so much to offer this community in this space,” Inman said. “We’re planning ongoing artist activities inside the branch, including a time capsule to celebrate and preserve the incredible history of this bakery. We’re also exploring seasonal pocket park events, farmers’ markets, music days and art-themed celebrations as well. The possibilities are truly endless.”
District 7 City Councilmember Jimmy Peluso shared remarks on what this addition means for the Murray Hill community.
“The retail banking world is changing a lot, and for [Community First Credit Union] to invest in this space and to do it in such a way that you’re holding hands with the community, that’s what we should be looking for, and we’re incredibly excited to have you here in Murray Hill.”
Also in attendance were Gary Polletta and his wife, Sandy, who owned and operated Edgewood Bakery for 23 years. The Polletta family was the third family to own Edgewood Bakery. Addressing the crowd, Poletta jokingly offered his assistance to Community First, given his past professional experience:
“We used to roll in the dough,” he said, to a round of laughter. “If you ever need help with handling the dough, you let us know.”
Following the ceremony, on a more serious note, Polletta said he believes the addition of Community First, with the added community elements, will reactivate this dormant space, and he appreciates the credit union’s approach to joining the community.
“I think their approach to remembering the bakery, which was such a focal point of the community at that time, is very smart on their part,” Polletta said. “They’re not coming in as a stranger to take over the place. They’re going to remember the roots [and] they’re going to push that point.”
Inman said Community First hopes to see this branch open by the end of the year.
