Petition Created To Prevent Chase Closing Farmingdale Location

FARMINGDALE, NY — Chase is currently scheduled to close one of its two Farmingdale locations on April 28, according to the bank. The franchise is closing its 334 Main St. spot to merge with the one at 1745 Broadhollow Road. But the closure would inconvenience merchants and others on Main Street who rely on quick access to the bank.

Jeanette Schmidt, owner of Flower Shop of Farmingdale, has her florist business a few doors down from Chase. When she heard the news, she created a MoveOn petition to call on Chase to keep its Main Street location open.

"Main Street in Farmingdale has become a booming town, and Chase is an important part of the revitalization that is taking place," Schmidt wrote on the petition.

She said she and other business owners walk to Chase to open accounts, get change for the drawer, send someone over to get cash if their credit card machine goes down, and otherwise keep up with the demands of running a shop.

"I think it’s terrible, because so many people count on them," Schmidt told Patch.

She said she has to visit Chase a couple of times a week at minimum. Even though the branch is consolidating with another Farmingdale location, Schmidt said it doesn't help her or other Main Street vendors.

"It’s far, and it’s not a place we could get to quickly," she said. "If we have a couple of people with a $100 bill that wipes out our drawer within a few minutes, then we’d have to get change right away. We’d have to drive somewhere to do it."

Pete Dragone, co-owner of Alibi Speakeasy & Lounge, said while his business doesn't bank at Chase, the branch accommodates it whenever it needs smaller change.

"It's definitely an inconvenience for all businesses in the area," Dragone said, adding that he or his employees go there a few times a week.

Schmidt said she received a case number from Chase, and the bank told her it would revisit the decision to close its Main Street branch. If it does close, though, Schmidt said she would likely end up switching banks, noting there's a Citibank down the road at 250 Conklin St.

The petition has over 200 signatures as of Friday afternoon. Schmidt said the bank is a staple of the town and has been there as far back as she can remember.

"Keeping our Chase branch open is important to everyone here," she wrote. "We depend on the convenience of being able to get to the bank quickly during our busy days. Please sign this petition in hopes that Chase Corporate Headquarters will then realize how much the people and small businesses value and depend on this branch and the services offered."