For the past 66 years, villagers have banked at Seneca Savings at 105 Second St.

Founded in 1928 as the Baldwinsville Savings and Loan, the bank opened its Liverpool branch in 1959 when it was known as Seneca Federal Savings and Loan.

Thirteen months ago, the bank changed its name to Seneca Savings. CEO Joe Vitale thinks the new name better reflects the bank’s 21st-century services including telephone banking, statement savings with ATM access and eStatements.

“The more modern, shortened name depicts the image of innovation that is currently taking place,” Vitale said.

Seneca Savings will do its last day of business on Second Street on Friday, Aug. 28.

On Monday, Aug. 31, it will open a new location on Route 57 in the town of Clay.

Improvements cited

The new bank at 7799 Oswego Road is an eight-minute drive from the village, but Vitale said a majority of its depositors actually live in the Clay area, and he points out that the new bank will be an improvement.

“There are several amenities customers will enjoy at the new location,” Vitale said.

The new bank will feature three drive-through lanes including one drive-through full-service ATM, a modernized building design created with ease of use, and easier access from an expanded parking lot and multiple entrances and exits.

Seneca Federal history

In 1951, the Baldwinsville Savings & Loan began expanding from its original location by opening a branch in North Syracuse. In 1958 its name changed to Seneca Federal and the following year the Liverpool bank opened under the direction of Roy Taylor. In the early 1980s, the bank’s board members included prominent villagers such as Howard Feikert and Irving Orth along with attorney Henry Fadden.

Now everybody’s wondering what will happen to that prime commercial property in the center of the village business district. The parcel also includes the adjacent property at 113 Second St., the former site of Venesky Appliances. Seneca Savings also owns that property.

At least one national retail franchise has expressed interest, but because the corner lot at Second and Cypress is not presently for sale, a deal has yet to be reached. A few years ago, John Gormel, owner of The Retreat around the block at 302 Vine St., had explored the possibility of buying the Venesky property before it had been paired with the bank lot.

Gull closes suddenly

Speaking of the Gormel family, its newest village venture — The Barking Gull, at 116 S. Willow St. — closed suddenly on Saturday, Aug. 15. The Key West-style bistro boasted a seaside menu heavy on seafood and complemented by delicious wood-fired pizzas. It also has Liverpool’s only open-air roof-top bar.

Word is that costly Obamacare regulations regarding employee health-insurance coverage prompted the abrupt closure, but hopefully the Gull will fly again next summer.

California dreamin’

A delicious beer brewed in Central California is flowing this way.

Duvel Moortgat, owner of Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, is combining with the highly regarded Firestone Walker Brewing Co. of Paso Robles, Calif. This comes after Duvel joined up with Boulevard Brewing Co. of Kansas City in 2013.

A couple of years ago, I spent a long Sunday afternoon at the Firestone facility in Paso Robles and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The hop-happy brews were complemented by beer-friendly foods and instant camaraderie developed with both staff and fellow imbibers as we gladly shared the bubble, the munchies and the conversation.

This may bode well for Duvel and Ommegang, but mainly I hope to see Firestone for sale at my neighborhood supermarket and served at my corner bar. In fact, the Limp Lizard Barbecue at 201 First St., already features Firestone’s Union Jack IPA on tap. Prosit!

The columnist can be contacted at [email protected].