On Nov. 11, 2007, The Birmingham News published a story that stated, "Birmingham's Red Mountain Bank applied to open a branch in Brentwood, Tenn., a tony suburb of Nashville, signaling the boutique bank's first move outside the state."
I just hate it when someone calls us "tony," though my friend Jill Burgin did blog last week about moms wearing $250 sandals to the Civitan ball fields (http://www.seafoodchicken.blogspot.com/).
But what the Birmingham article predicted less than two years ago came true Monday with the opening of the Birmingham-based bank's first true Tennessee location.
Except for watching the transformation from crud to cream over the past few months, I knew little about the bank now at the corner of Franklin Road and Maryland Way. I walked in as a stranger and out as a potential customer, at least of their Red Mountain Bank coffee (keep reading for details).
Don't look for teller stations and "the rail" as we used to call it when I worked as a United Virginia Bank teller during college. As Rick Archer Jr., market president, explained it, Red Mountain has a "three-step rule" all staffers are trained to follow. That would be that before any customer has taken three steps into the branch, someone will be there to greet them.
"Our goal is to get to know you as an individual," he explained while standing in the taupe lobby that's still in progress, but already features leather chairs, big-screen TVs and a coffee and water bar adorned with fresh sunflowers.
Which brings me back to the coffee. In its Alabama branches, RMB sells two kinds of coffee, The Daily Grind, featuring beans from Indonesia and Central America, and an Investment Blend, with beans from Indonesia and East Africa. All proceeds go to local charities.
It seems that the city of Brentwood has some ordinance that prevents the bank from selling the coffee, so here it will make the bags available for donations. Where will those donations go? The staff is still trying to decide. Why don't you make a suggestion? I think it should stay right here in Brentwood or at least Williamson County. How about Happy Tales Humane perhaps, or what about Bridges of Williamson County?
Unfortunately, even our "tony" city and home county are home to many non-profits helping more people -- and animals -- than ever before.
I didn't sign up for anything today -- when I asked if they were offering an interest-free, opening-day loan special they looked perplexed. But I'll definitely be back for more coffee.
I just hate it when someone calls us "tony," though my friend Jill Burgin did blog last week about moms wearing $250 sandals to the Civitan ball fields (http://www.seafoodchicken.blogspot.com/).
But what the Birmingham article predicted less than two years ago came true Monday with the opening of the Birmingham-based bank's first true Tennessee location.
Except for watching the transformation from crud to cream over the past few months, I knew little about the bank now at the corner of Franklin Road and Maryland Way. I walked in as a stranger and out as a potential customer, at least of their Red Mountain Bank coffee (keep reading for details).
Don't look for teller stations and "the rail" as we used to call it when I worked as a United Virginia Bank teller during college. As Rick Archer Jr., market president, explained it, Red Mountain has a "three-step rule" all staffers are trained to follow. That would be that before any customer has taken three steps into the branch, someone will be there to greet them.
"Our goal is to get to know you as an individual," he explained while standing in the taupe lobby that's still in progress, but already features leather chairs, big-screen TVs and a coffee and water bar adorned with fresh sunflowers.
Which brings me back to the coffee. In its Alabama branches, RMB sells two kinds of coffee, The Daily Grind, featuring beans from Indonesia and Central America, and an Investment Blend, with beans from Indonesia and East Africa. All proceeds go to local charities.
It seems that the city of Brentwood has some ordinance that prevents the bank from selling the coffee, so here it will make the bags available for donations. Where will those donations go? The staff is still trying to decide. Why don't you make a suggestion? I think it should stay right here in Brentwood or at least Williamson County. How about Happy Tales Humane perhaps, or what about Bridges of Williamson County?
Unfortunately, even our "tony" city and home county are home to many non-profits helping more people -- and animals -- than ever before.
I didn't sign up for anything today -- when I asked if they were offering an interest-free, opening-day loan special they looked perplexed. But I'll definitely be back for more coffee.
Thank you Susan and Kelly for stopping in our newest Red Mountain Bank - Banking Center. You truly made it a Great Day at Red Mountain Bank!
ReplyDeleteWe are excited to be in the great city of Brentwood Tennessee and look foward to increasing our presence in the community! -David Monfore Asst. Manager