Community First Credit Union plans to convert the former Edgewood Bakery building in Murray Hill into a new branch location.
The Jacksonville-based credit union purchased the vacant property at 1012 Edgewood Ave. S. in 2024 for $1.75 million.
Once home to the Edgewood Bakery, the building has been unoccupied since the bakery closed in 2016. Community First officials say the renovation will preserve the existing structure and add new features not typically found in the credit union’s other locations, according to a Monday news release.
“The Murray Hill branch will be tailored to the neighborhood and serve members where they are,” said Sam Inman, president and CEO of Community First, in the news release. “We expect this site to help drive traffic to the area and reactivate a corner that has been vacant for nearly a decade.”
Construction is in early stages, and the branch is expected to open in late 2026. The project includes interior reconstruction, exterior updates, a redesigned parking lot and a drive-thru. Plans also call for a front lawn and social area, a community meeting room, and potential upgrades to branch technology.
The building, originally constructed in the mid-20th century, is not historically designated but has been considered a local fixture since opening in 1947.
Greg Beere, board president of the Murray Hill Preservation Association, said in the release that the organization supports the project, which incorporates some of the original structure.
“We look forward to the innovative designs for the new meeting space, food feature, and outdoor community areas,” Beere said.
Community First officials said the building’s design will include architectural elements specific to the Murray Hill corridor. The interior will feature a mural with historical photos of the neighborhood, which can also be found in other branches. COO Melissa Thomas said the branch will reference the bakery’s legacy, which she described as important to many Jacksonville families.
Community First serves more than 175,000 members across 22 locations and employs more than 450 people. According to the credit union, more than 1,300 of its members live within two miles of the Murray Hill site.
This will be Community First’s first branch in the Murray Hill area.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Community First to renovate, open new branch at former Edgewood Bakery site in Murray Hill
Reporting by Alexandria Mansfield, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
