Marquette Savings Bank of Erie has recently announced plans to sell one of its Meadville banking properties to a neighboring, non-banking business. The bank intends to sell its drive-thru-only branch property located at 349 North St. to Country Fair Inc., a well-known convenience store chain based in Erie. The branch is scheduled to close down at 6 p.m. on March 29th.
Country Fair Inc. operates 72 convenience stores across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, with two locations in the Meadville area. The company’s existing Meadville locations are at 18163 Conneaut Lake Road in Vernon Township and 333 North St., at the intersection of North and North Main streets.
According to Steve Danch, chairman of Marquette’s board of trustees, Country Fair has been considering the potential for additional parking and storage at its North Street location. The decision to sell the property aligns with Country Fair’s expansion plans and provides Marquette Savings Bank with an opportunity to support the local community while maintaining a strong presence in Meadville.
The Meadville Zoning Hearing Board approved a request for a special exception for 349 North St. on January 18th, allowing it to serve as additional parking and storage space for Country Fair’s North Street location. This approval was necessary for the land sale to proceed.
Despite the closure of the North Street branch, Marquette Savings Bank will continue to operate its full-service walk-in and drive-thru location at 1075 Park Ave. The two bank branches are approximately three-quarters of a mile apart, ensuring continued accessibility for customers in the Meadville area.
Regarding the impact on employment, Danch reassured that no banking jobs would be lost as a result of the sale. Employees currently working at the North Street branch will have the opportunity to transfer to other Marquette locations in the Meadville area. This commitment underscores Marquette’s dedication to its workforce and the communities it serves.
In addition to the Park Avenue and North Street locations, Marquette Savings Bank maintains another full-service office in the Meadville area at 16272 Conneaut Lake Road in Vernon Township. This network of branches ensures that customers have convenient access to banking services throughout the region.
Despite repeated attempts to reach out to Country Fair Inc. for comment on their plans and timeline for any changes, company officials did not respond to emails and telephone messages.
The sale of the North Street branch represents a strategic decision by Marquette Savings Bank to optimize its resources and strengthen its position in the Meadville market. By partnering with Country Fair Inc., the bank is not only facilitating the convenience store chain’s expansion but also ensuring continued financial services for the local community.
As the closure date approaches, customers are encouraged to visit Marquette Savings Bank’s other Meadville locations for their banking needs. The transition is expected to be seamless, with the bank’s commitment to customer service remaining unwavering throughout the process.
In conclusion, the sale of Marquette Savings Bank’s North Street branch to Country Fair Inc. marks a significant development in the Meadville business landscape. While change is on the horizon, both companies are dedicated to serving their customers and contributing to the growth and prosperity of the community.
