Downtown Chase Branch Moving to Realty Tower

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Chase Bank will move its downtown branch from its longtime space at 6 Federal Plaza West into the Realty Tower. 

The new branch at 47 E. Federal St. will open in May, said Carlene Lule, Chase’s regional communications manager. The bank will move into the first floor of Realty Tower now occupied by Starting Lineup Barber & Beauty Shop and an adjacent space previously occupied by a closed smoothie shop.

“We are focused on providing a strong, successful branch network that can serve all customers. We were able to reposition our branch presence to better serve our customers by opening a new location with the latest digital technology,” Lule said. 

Tuesday morning, the city’s design review committee approved signage requests by Ruff Neon Signs and Lighting Maintenance Inc., Painesville, for nine signs at the building.

The committee approved two illuminated wall signs of 10 1/2 feet by 18 inches, two three-foot by two-foot blade signs, three post-mounted parking signs, and two signs indicating the location of the branch’s ATM.

The 6 Federal Plaza West building has housed Chase and several predecessors since it was built in 1925. First National Bank of Youngstown merged with Commercial National Bank and others during the Great Depression to form Union National Bank, said Bill Lawson, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society. Union National became Bank One in 1982, which then merged with J.P. Morgan Chase in 2004. 

Until the new branch opens next year, customers will still be able to use the existing downtown branch, Lule said. Employment at the branch won’t be affected by the move.

Starting Lineup will consolidate its operations into the lower level space where owner Jerome Franklin now has his SLU Luxury Spa and Salon. He opened Starting Lineup downtown in 2015 and SLU and the Smoothie Bar on Central Square in 2018. 

Franklin acknowledged Starting Lineup’s business has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic but he has not had to get rid of any of his eight employees.  

“We don’t have any walk-in traffic,” he said. 

The Smoothie Bar closed in the early months of the pandemic and did not reopen. 

Nikki Posterli, director of community planning and economic development for the city of Youngstown, said the city appreciates the commitment Chase has shown Youngstown over the years. “We consider them strong financial partners and look forward to their continued operations in the community,” she said.

She also was pleased that Starting Lineup is remaining downtown. “The owner is committed to the city and plans to remain,” she added. “We fully support the business, this move and any future endeavors to help Starting Lineup sustain its footprint in the city.”

Pictured: Chase will move its downtown Youngstown branch into the first floor of Realty Tower.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.