7 17 Breaks Ground on New Larchmont Branch

WARREN, Ohio – 7 17 Credit Union broke ground Wednesday on its new Larchmont Branch, which will be adjacent to its headquarters and current branch there to accommodate the credit union’s needs as it continues to grow.

“We have some space needs in our operations center and this is our oldest facility that needs some updates,” said Mark Munno, vice president of delivery channels for 7 17 at the groundbreaking. “We thought instead of disrupting [Larchmont’s existing branch] while we remodel that we would build, so we’re going to build here and expand our campus.”

Gary Soukenik, president and CEO of 7 17, joined Munno, and other employees and community leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking at 3181 Larchmont Ave. NE.

“It’s that continued growth that really brought us to this point where we’ve exceeded the capacity of our current operations center that was built in the year 2000,” Soukenik said. “This is our original location and our busiest location.”

When the new branch opens, the existing branch will become expanded space for back-office operations and support staff.

The cost of the project is around $3.6 million, said Eric Lanham, vice president of marketing for 7 17.

It is expected to open April 1. During the construction of the new branch, members can continue to use the existing branch uninterrupted.

When completed, the new full-service branch will be around 8,200 square feet and will feature lending and wealth management services, ATM access and lobby and drive-thru services with updated technology.

Pictured: Rendering of 7 17’s new Larchmont branch.

“When they walk in it’s going to be evident that we do have the technology available to them,” Munno said. “The atmosphere is going to be more of an engagement atmosphere with our members to help them understand the technology if they need to understand the technology.”

The branch will have a learning-hub space with tablets or laptops, and electronic-charging stations that members can use if they need to while inside the lobby.

The teller lines “will be a little bit different,” Munno said, with pod environments for members to receive services at instead of a traditional line.

“Some of the technology will benefit our employees and how they’ll interact with a member while they’re waiting on them,” he said. “They’ll have a swing arm monitor that they can pull the member aside and look at the monitor with them.”

The drive-thru lanes at the new branch will have interactive teller machines, which will allow members to interact face-to-face with the teller via video monitor. This also will enable longer hours of operation for the drive-thru lanes.

7 17 has partnered with architects from Baker, Bednar, Snyder and Associates and contractor Jack Gibson Construction of Warren for the project.

The credit union has more than 79,000 members and anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Portage, Summit or Stark counties is eligible to become a member.

“It’s going to be a great experience. That’s what it’s all about. It will be a chance for us to exhibit our brand, which is mutual respect,” Soukenik said. “We look forward to continuing to serve our members and the community here on Larchmont Avenue.”

Pictured: John Gibson, owner and CEO of Jack Gibson Construction; Darlene St. George, administrator of Howland Township; Rick Clark, Howland Township trustee; Gary Soukenik, president and CEO of 7 17; Jack Wilster, 7 17 board chairman; Andrew Bednar, principal at Baker, Bednar, Snyder & Associates; and Rachel Flickinger, vice president of sales and service at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.