Overall, not a big deal. There are banks in adjacent Olyphant, Peckville, and Archbald.
But, let's dive a little deeper.
Once upon a time, every town around here had a doctor's office, a little market, a post office, a pharmacy, neighborhood schools... and a bank. When any one of those disappears, a town loses part of itself. These are the places where we had little savings accounts, and Christmas Clubs, and car loans, and mortgages. We knew the tellers and the managers, and they knew us.
It wasn't in Jessup, but I remember the thrill of walking to my corner bank and opening my first savings account. It was on the last day of 8th grade. I felt like such a big deal, an almost grown up.
Overly dramatic? Possibly.
I know fewer people use brick and mortar banks these days, and I'm part of that group. I also know a bank is a business, not a charity. An oft repeated phrase: "If it don't pay, it don't stay." Upper management apparently deemed the branch was no longer profitable, and you can see what's happened.
I'm not a real estate agent. This is an attractive property, including parking. I doubt the bank that vacated it will allow another bank to move in, It appears to be a good space for a professional office, maybe even a restaurant.
Jessup will survive. There are still plenty of businesses here, including a healthy number of bars and restaurants. The town looks great at Christmas. There are festivals, carnivals, and parties scattered throughout the year-- including St. Ubaldo Day.
However, driving past an empty building that was once the center of commerce makes me sad.
