East Side group protests bank's closing

YOUNGSTOWN — A small group stood outside the National City Bank branch today at the McGuffey Plaza on the city’s East Side to protest the bank’s closing.

The branch is shutting down at 2 p.m. Oct. 9.

“We have nothing on this side of town,” said Adele Luckey of Bennington Avenue on the East Side. “I have a car and can drive to another bank. I’m standing for other people who don’t have cars. They’re going to have to get on a bus to go to a bank. It’s a big inconvenience. Nobody cares about this side of town.”

Gloria Drake of Scioto Street on the East Side said the bank closing is going to be hard on seniors in the neighborhood.

The closest National City Bank branches for those on the East Side are in Campbell and downtown Youngstown.

The bank is closing because of a decline in business, said Youngstown Councilman DeMaine Kitchen, D-2nd. The plaza is in his ward.

Those protesting the closing of the bank branch also criticized the condition of McGuffey Plaza. The plaza is almost vacant with only about seven businesses operating. One of those businesses is a post office that the U.S. Postal Service is considering closing.

“The condition of this plaza is deplorable,” Drake said.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com