"Where Everyone Knows Your Name": First National Bank Of Long Island Coming To Smith Street

First National Bank Of Long Island's website

First National Bank Of Long Island's website

As though the neighborhood isn't already saturated with banks, it would appear that a relatively small Long Island bank is about to open a branch at 227 Smith Street.  The space was most recently occupied by family-owned artisanal pasta restaurant Pazzi Pasta, which folded in early 2017.

First National Bank of Long Island has about 50 branches all over Long Island and has recently expanded into Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. It was founded in 1927 as The First National Bank of Glen Head and officially changed its name to its current one in 1978.

According to its web site,  the bank "where everyone knows your name" is committed "to deliver quality, personalized service to affluent consumers, small businesses, middle market prospects and professionals such as doctors, dentists, attorneys and CPA's. Our outstanding service is what differentiates us from our competition. All of our branches are staffed by knowledgeable and professional account officers with broad based banking expertise, who focus on building relationships, not transactions. We offer a complete array of consumer and business banking products, including Checking and Savings accounts, Commercial and Residential Lending Services and Investment Management products and services."

Are you excited about a smaller, 'friendlier' bank opening its doors in the neighborhood, or would you rather the commercial space had been taken over by a new eatery?

*Is it just us or is the mention of 'affluent consumers' a bit nauseating?
**Note to First National Bank, in case they see the post: You are opening a branch in Boerum Hill, NOT in Cobble Hill.


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Arrivederci! Pazzi Pasta Closes On Smith Street

Pazzi Pasta, a family-owned artisanal pasta restaurant located at 227 Smith Street in Boerum Hill, was unfortunately one of the last casualties of 2016. The Italian eatery offered fresh pasta made of 'ancient grains', a choice of several organic sauces and salads.

It first opened its doors in the fall of 2013, but never appeared to be particularly busy. As one Smith Street resident told PMFA, Pazzi Pasta "seemed to mostly get families with little kids in daytime and not the night business."

Certainly, the space seemed more set up for a take-out business and never seemed inviting enough for a sit-down dinner.

What do you think? What kind of business would do well at this location, in your opinion?

And who remembers Halycon, Amazon Café and Mandy's Health Café, the previous tenants at 227 Smith Street?

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