Don't Bank On It

Former First National Bank building Amity Street, now former TD Bank location

TD Bank has given up their long-time prime location in the heart of downtown Amherst, consolidating with their much smaller branch bank on Triangle Street less than a mile away.

 Sign on front door (Bank of America across the street in reflection)

Of course Bank of American is directly across the street in their hard to miss building, and Peoples Bank is a roll of quarters throw away down Amity Street so town center is not going to necessarily suffer from a lack of banks.

But it's still not a great sign.

The building is owned by downtown developer and all around icon Barry Roberts, aka EV Realty Trust, so chances are it will not stay vacant for long.  Barry helped stimulate the revitalization of downtown by buying and renovating the former First National Bank back in 1996.

A few years (1993) earlier Roberts purchased the former College Drug store across the street after it was heavily damaged by fire.  The building was an eyesore for years because nobody wanted to deal with installing an elevator as required by building code as part of any renovation.

One of the first businesses to open in the renovated First National Bank building was Amherst Brewing Company who had great success for 15 years.   They then relocated to University Drive in a building that was originally the new home for Louis Foods Supermarket, who also abandoned their prime downtown location (now a CVS).

Amherst Brewing Company was recently taken over by Harold Tramazzo who 15 years ago founded Hanger Pub and Grill on University Drive across the street from ABC.

Before ABC had even opened in that new University Drive location Barry Roberts rerented the downtown location to the current successful High Horse Brewery & Bistro.

 TD Bank Triangle Street location, right next to Northampton Cooperative Bank

So downtown is the place to be.  Although Triangle Street, where the other TD Branch Bank is located, is still considered that place where you can always go ... downtown.

Meanwhile, another downtown small business is vacating their prime location at 35 South Pleasant Street.  Art Alive opened just two years ago, after another short lived business, 35 South Cycle (an aerobic spin class operation) failed to attract enough customers.

Art Alive (Dead as of September 1st)