Community First Credit Union officially kicked off construction this week on the former Edgewood Bakery building in Murray Hill, marking a major step in the revitalization of one of Jacksonville’s most recognizable community landmarks.
The Jacksonville-based credit union held a renovation kickoff ceremony Monday at the site on Edgewood Avenue, with attendees including former bakery owners Gary and Sandy Polletta, Borough Alderman Jimmy Peluso, local business and civic leaders and members of the Murray Hill Preservation Association.
Community First Credit Union President and CEO Sam Inman speaks at the credit union’s upcoming new branch in Murray Hill.
The project will transform the long-vacant bakery building into what community First leaders say is their most unique branch yet, designed to honor the site’s history while serving as a financial hub.
Why is Community First renovating the former Edgewood Bakery?
Community First purchased the Murray Hill property in 2024 after the Edgewood Bakery building sat vacant for nearly a decade. The bakery, a longtime community staple, closed in 2016.
Sam Inman, president and CEO of Community First, said the credit union sees the site as an opportunity to preserve part of Murray Hill’s character while reinvesting in the community.
“As Community First embarks on the transformation of the former Edgewood Bakery into a modern, state-of-the-art credit union branch, we are excited to honor the legacy of this beloved Murray Hill bakery in the community,” said Inman. “Our thoughtful design will make this one of our most unique branches to date and we are confident it will once again become a hub for the community.”
What will the new Murray Hill location include?
Unlike traditional bank branches, the redesigned Murray Hill branch will feature several community-oriented elements, including a front lawn and social gathering area, a dedicated community room, a renovated parking lot and comprehensive exterior updates.
Local officials and Community First Credit Union staff broke ground on the upcoming Murray Hill location on the former Edgewood Bakery site.
The branch interior will include a custom mural depicting historic photos of the Murray Hill community, continuing Community First’s practice of integrating local history into its branch designs.
The entire floor plan will be configured within the existing one-story structure.
How does this project fit into the revitalization of Mount Murray?
Local leaders say the Edgewood Bakery plays a key role in the ongoing revitalization of the Murray Hill retail corridor.
“Edgewood Bakery is a cornerstone of the revitalization of Murray Hill’s retail corridor,” said Greg Beere, president of the Murray Hill Conservancy. “Our team has been actively working with Community First Credit Union as an advocate for the neighbors, and we are excited to see this building transformed into a unique asset to this community.”
City Councilman Jimmy Peluso speaks at the opening of Community First Credit Union’s new branch in Murray Hill.
Borough Councilman Jimmy Peluso also attended Monday’s launch, emphasizing the importance of the project to the area’s economic and community development.
When will the new Community First branch open?
Construction is currently underway and Community First expects the refurbishment of the Murray Hill branch to be completed by the end of 2026.
The project team includes TTV Architects as designer, Auld & White Constructors as building contractor, NAI Hallmark as development partner and Kimley-Horn providing civil engineering services.
What is Community First Credit Union?
Community First Credit Union of Florida is a state-chartered, not-for-profit financial institution founded and headquartered in Jacksonville. Serving everyone who lives or works on the First Coast, the credit union has 24 branches and more than 450 employees.
Community First currently has approximately $3 billion in assets and serves 188,000 members throughout Northeast Florida, providing banking, lending, mortgage and investment services to consumers and businesses.
This article originally appeared in The Florida Times-Union: What happened to Edgewood Bakery? Community First starts renovation