The much anticipated opening of TD Bank on Cross Bay Boulevard brought scores of both curious passersby and new customers to the grand opening festivities on Saturday morning.
The branch saw a steady influx of brand new customers throughout the day and has been busy since. John Spagnuolo, the new store manager, says that TD has received a very warm welcome. “I think people here will appreciate the common sense, community-oriented approach to business that defines TD.”
Spagnuolo, himself a 40-year-plus resident of Howard Beach, says he went looking for an opportunity to work at the bank when he found they were opening a branch in Howard Beach. “After nearly twenty years in financial services, I wanted to work with a bank that was serious about their partnerships with the community.” Fortunately for Spagnuolo, he says TD gave him the opportunity and he started working for the company in early January before the opening.
The new branch is the 23rd in Queens and opens just three months before number 24 is scheduled to open in nearby Ozone Park. It is all a part of what Spagnuolo says is a very aggressive plan by TD to capture the local New York banking market. “A total of 10 new branches will open this year,” says Spagnuolo, “eight in addition to this and the upcoming Ozone Park opening.” Thereafter he says there will be 10 openings in 2013 and 20 every year after that.
The weather was cooperative as crowds gathered outside the branch for free food and giveaways. Inside, TD executives and regional directors met with the residents and many business owners from Howard Beach introducing themselves and offering a glimpse of what doing business and personal banking would be like at TD.
One very impressed customer came to the bank with his puppy only to find a TD dog bowl set down for pets that may be a little parched. But pet owners aren’t the only ones who can have their whims indulged at TD. If you don’t want to get out of your car there’s a spacious drive through, and if you cycle to the bank there’s a TD bicycle rack where you can park and chain conveniently. Energy-conscious customers can also plug in their hybrid vehicles while depositing the money they’ve saved on gasoline. The branch is environmentally green and its open,spacious layout furnished with clean, cool colors left visitors commenting openly on what they found very appealing and comfortable at the same time.
“When you come in here,” said local resident Nick Abbruzzi, a TD customer who used to have to travel to the branch on Metropolitan and 71st avenues in Forest Hills, “you feel like personal banking is back. It makes you feel comfortable about leaving your cash with these people,” he says with a grin.
But perhaps the biggest perk of TD bank comes to the neighborhood with what is an obvious desire and commitment to aid local charitable organizations, especially those who work with children and youth services.
Individual grants were given to four local groups including Angel’s on the Bay, the Howard Beach Community Youth Center, the Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation and Our Lady of Grace.
Frank Russo, Chairman of the Board of Angel’s on the Bay and owner of Russo’s on the Bay and Vetro was on hand to accept a check presentation to his organization. “TD has obviously made an important statement about their intentions to be an integral and contributing force in this community,” Russo said. “It will be a pleasure working with them and having another partner to enhance the work we do, especially for the children of our community.”
According to TD Bank execs, their work in the community has only just begun. There are internal discussions about many different programs for community youth, including one that would arrange for small groups of students to visit the branch and learn how community banking works.
TD Bank is at 162 Avenue and Cross Bay Boulevard. The branch is open seven days a week, with late nights Thursday and Friday until 8 p.m., Saturday until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. -4 p.m. For more information, call the branch at 718-529-0548.
