Downtown Wareham’s Eastern Bank to close its doors in May
The downtown Wareham branch of Eastern Bank is scheduled to close on Friday, May 20.
The bank petitioned the Massachusetts Division of Banks for permission to close the office at 226 Main St., according to a company notice. Eastern Bank customers will be directed to the bank’s 3003 Cranberry Highway branch in East Wareham after the downtown location closes.
The move is one of a number of real estate transfers on Main Street in recent years.
The bank’s Main Street property has an appraisal value of $1,523,200 according to town data. The stately building was constructed in 1925.
Eastern Bank representative Andrea Goodman confirmed Tuesday that the building has been sold, but she did not disclose how much it sold for, to whom or other details of the transaction.
Goodman said an increased use of mobile and online banking has lessened branch traffic. Eastern Bank is consolidating the downtown branch location, she said, because of its proximity to other branch locations.
“Staff will be assigned to other locations in our network,” Goodman said in an email, “and you may continue to see them in our other locations.”
The branch closing is one of many changes to Main Street in recent months — and one of several major property sales.
New additions to Main Street in past years include The Blue Foot Cafe, Lucky Goat Brewing and Gone Country Creamery while local businessman Danny Warren has recently purchased land at 59 Main St. with the idea of developing a bustling marina. Warren also purchased 176 Main St., which currently houses Advanced Auto Repair. In April of last year, Town Meeting voted to petition the state legislature to create new pouring licenses for Warren’s two properties, along with five new licenses for the village area.
And a beer and wine bar is planned for the old Irene’s Flowers location at 196 Main St.
The Decas building at 219 Main St., which houses Mumma Mary’s, Village Beauty Connection and Wareham Week’s offices, among other tenants — was sold in December, as was the Legacy Insurance building at 213 Main St. The new owner’s plans for the buildings are unclear.
The large building at 191 Main St. is also on the market.