Community First Credit Union on Monday announced it is renovating and repurposing the former Edgewood Bakery building to become its Murray Hill Branch.
The credit union, which bought the property for $1.65 million last year, said it will start interior demo as soon as the city permit is approved, which is being submitted officially on Tuesday. Community First anticipates the branch to be complete in late 2026.
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“There has been much speculation about the building and if it was reuseable in any way to become the branch. We’re excited to announce that it will be renovated into the new branch, and it will be unlike any other in the Community First location,” the credit union said in a release.
The new branch will be like any other and include a front lawn/social area, including a food feature, along with a community room and other Murray Hill-specific design elements that will be driven by the bakery building, the bank said in a release. Community First is considering additional upgrades to technology to pilot at the branch.
“True to our name and purpose of strengthening communities, one member at a time, Community First intends to create a Murray Hill branch to fit in with the unique character of the Murray Hill retail corridor and serve members where they are,” said President and CEO Sam Inman. “We believe this key retail site in the corridor will enhance consumer traffic to the area, revitalizing this strategic corner which has been vacant and deteriorating for nine years.”
Community First said it does not have any renderings or drawings of the new design yet, but they will come out when the exploratory demolition is complete.
“Our executive team, board and I are committed to preserving some of the local flavor of the Edgewood Bakery,” said Melissa Thomas, COO of Community First. “I’m personally passionate about preservation as a native with treasured family memories of the role of the bakery in my own life, including birthday cakes and my own wedding cake.”
The property was owned by restaurateur John Valentino through Pie High Real Estate Holdings LLC. He acquired it for $700,000 in 2016, the year Edgewood Bakery closed.
Valentino owns area Mellow Mushroom restaurants and The French Pantry.
The Daily Record reported in 2017 that Valentino was considering opening the city’s second The French Pantry at the Edgewood Bakery, but those plans did not materialize.
Community First said it has more than 1,300 members who live within about 2 miles of the site.