The Howard Beach branch of TD Bank located at 162-02 Crossbay Boulevard.
TD Bank welcomed back throngs of happy customers with bottled water, chocolate chip cookies and coloring books for the kids when they officially re-opened the doors of the branch at a soft grand re-opening on Tuesday.
Smiles were as plentiful on both the customers and the staff’s faces as handshakes and hugs were exchanged throughout the day.
Martin Kelly, a longtime resident and client of TD says the branch opening is another sign of welcome normalcy to the storm ravaged community.
“We got hit so hard here,” said Kelly, “despite the fact that the news didn’t treat us that way. And not having the convenience of the bank at your fingertips was really missed. I’m glad they’re back.”
A sentiment echoed by many who came through the doors of the bank that was officially closed since Sandy hit.
The bank took on a little more than 5 1/2 feet of water according to store manager and VP, John Spagnuolo.
“We are just so happy to be back,” he said, obviously pleased with the response of customers.
During the time the building was
under repair, TD had a portable location in a trailer in the parking lot offering services to customers as of the day before Thanksgiving.
The repairs to the store were basically defined as a total redo. Walls came down, floors came up and basically the interior was begun again from scratch.
Now the familiar and welcoming green and purple color scheme has returned and was seen in balloons and lolipops. Customers will notice that bank executives decided to recreate, almost identically the interior that was in place prior to the storm. The store was a totally green location and has been restored to exactly the same level as to where it was before.
Now Spagnuolo says he and the staff are ready, willing and able to try and help their customers through what is arguably the most difficult times that they have ever encountered.
“We had a great many people in this community who are not only residents of Howard Beach, but they own small business here.” Spagnuolo says the task of juggling all those factors and trying to rebuild your life is something that TD welcomes the opportunity to help their customers through.
By Patricia Adams
