NOVEMBER 2016 • Volume 12 • Issue 11 SPOTLIGHT ON QCC LONGSTANDING MEMBERS 9 Ridgewood Savings Bank Queens Chamber Member since February, 1930 Today, Ridgewood Savings Bank is the largest mutual savings bank in New York State. With $5.1 billion in assets, Ridgewood operates 33 branches across New York City’s five boroughs, Long Island and Westchester. But it all started as the dream of 14 entrepreneurs living in Ridgewood, Queens. They believed that a bank should be actively involved in its community, and they made it their mission to create a better financial institution. The bank was chartered as The Savings Bank of Ridgewood on June 18, 1921. The bank first operated out of a converted taproom located at the intersection of Myrtle and Forest Avenues. The original trustees worked tirelessly to build their business. They would personally hand out flyers to local residents encouraging them to keep their savings at the new Ridgewood Bank. In the early days, it was not uncommon to see one of the trustees filling in for a teller or taking deposits from one of the bank’s new customers. The long days and late nights paid off. The people of the surrounding communities came in droves to save their money at The Savings Bank of Ridgewood. In 1929, the cornerstone was laid for a new headquarters in the bank’s original location, and the name was changed from The Savings Bank of Ridgewood to Ridgewood Savings Bank. On October 29, 1929, the stock market crashed, launching the Great Depression. Ridgewood Savings Bank weathered this cataclysm and continued to serve the community during these trying years. At a time when many banks were closing, Ridgewood’s success spoke to the positive relationship the bank maintained with the people it served. As the nation began to recover, Ridgewood Savings Bank began to expand. In 1940, the bank opened its first branch office in Forest Hills, Queens. The building is located at the intersection of Queens Boulevard and 108th Street. The building won the 1939 Queens Chamber of Commerce award for excellence in architecture and was designated a New York City Landmark in 2000 by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Other branch offices followed throughout Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Suffolk and Nassau counties. In 2007, City and Suburban Bank joined the team. This increased the size of Ridgewood’s family with 12 more branches serving the Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester County. In addition to its 33 banking offices, Ridgewood has mortgage centers located in Garden City Park and Lake Success. There is also a retirement planning services department in Bensonhurst and a training department in Elmhurst, and Ridgewood operates a mobile branch that travels to several locations throughout the New York metropolitan area. Looking ahead, Ridgewood will continue to spread a community focused approach to banking. There are plans to open new branches, and to increase services in the years to come. The continued growth and success of Ridgewood Savings Bank speaks to the power of what can happen when you multiply good banking principles with years of dedicated customer service. TO THE QCC, SIZE DOESN’T MATTER! The Queens Chamber of Commerce is a Chamber for ALL sized companies: no matter what your annual revenue is, each new Member benefits from all the Chamber has to offer. Last month, with a market cap of over $20.3 billion, the Chamber signed on one of the largest U.S. companies, American Airlines, in addition to several smaller, solid Queens firms. From a carrier originally formed to route mail that grew by acquiring 82 small airlines to a pottery studio that recently expanded to cater to seniors, caretakers and disadvantaged youth, our Membership is as diverse as the borough we represent. After a brief hiatus, it is an honor to represent American Airlines in its return to the Queens Chamber of Commerce. With all of the various developments throughout this great borough, it is easy to see that the best of Queens is yet to come. We at American Airlines look forward to being along for the journey. Darryl C. Towns Northeast Regional Director Government Affairs American Airlines INDA decided to join the Queens Chamber to help our member companies and others involved with wipes products (companies that make wipes, brand the wipes, and the many retailers in Queens who sell the wipes). A bill (Intro. 666) is being considered in the NY City Council that would ban one type of wipe, Flushable Wipes, and impose a $2500 fine on retailers to enforce this. Our hope is to work with the Chamber and its Members to oppose this misguided bill and protect Queens retailers from bearing the burden of enforcing a bad law. Should the bill pass, consumers would source their flushable wipes on the internet, and likely many other products once there. So INDA and the Queens Chamber and its members share a need to oppose this bill, and we hope our membership enables us to do this more effectively. Dave Rousse President, INDA Membership in the Queens Chamber of Commerce is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of local business opportunities in Queens. The curriculum, forums and guest speakers are unique ways to grow your business networks, build new relationships, and give back to the Queens community. Brett Harris AKI Development The Queens Chamber of Commerce is respected as an important voice representing the business community of Queens. Strategic networking opportunities are frequent and I find them very valuable, I am happy to be a member! Debbie Lovis Highstreet IT Solutions A+ Technology & Security Solutions is a systems integrator specializing in the convergence of security, audio/visual, LED Lighting and advanced IT solutions with over 25 years of success in the greater NY area. We recently became more involved with the Queens Chamber of Commerce as we have had increasing success within the Queens community. The Queens Chamber has been a great conduit to collaboration with businesses and organizations within the Queen borough, allowing A+ Technology & Security Solutions to have great exposure within the community. The Queens Chamber events have been well organized and we look forward to continue working closely with the Chamber and the Queens community as a whole. Steve Cina A+ Technology & Security Solution We are a pottery studio in Central Queens with a history going back almost 40 years. This is the first time we have ever joined, and we look forward to working with the Queens Chamber and benefiting from their many years of experience. The many people who have participated come from all walks of life and find that clay is beneficial and fun. It’s interesting to meet people in a relaxed, learning environment. Recently, we’ve expanded our programs to include seniors and caretakers, as well as disadvantaged youth. We look forward to sharing the opportunities for creativity to more people of all ages. Grace Anker, Owner The Potter’s Wheel By Cathy Berger Any questions? e-mail Cathy at [email protected]
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