BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Linda Mims lives footsteps away from the new KeyBank location on Buffalo's East Side. Before this branch opened at the corner of Delavan Ave. and Grider Ave. the closest KeyBank to her was nearly a two-mile away car ride.
"My sister would always come and get me on the first day of the month and I'd go over there and I'd do my banking," she said.
The bank opened earlier this month, but Thursday was the grand unveiling. Buffalo's popular singing cops even made an appearance. KeyBank said it chose this spot after community groups told them there was a need for a bank there. The bank's regional president, Gary Quenneville, said the response has been overwhelming.
"From day one, even before day one, it has been very busy already," said Quenneville.
Mayor Byron Brown sees more than just a bank. He see's economic development for the East Side of Buffalo.
"With investments like KeyBank has made here and so many other businesses and members of this community are making, you will not recognize the East Side of Buffalo in a couple of years." said Brown.
Mims would like to see a supermarket as the area's next development. For now though she is still relishing in the opening of this bank.
"Everyday I'd look out my window and I watched them build the bank, and I was so ready because this is my bank, and this is where I bank at, and I was just so excited about it," she said.
