A new sign of hope - in the form of an "open" sign in the Sherman Park neighborhood.
The Fond du Lac location of BMO Harris Bank is back open- in a temporary location they weren't using before behind the burned out building. The location is one of few with in a few miles of the neighborhood.
It's a return to normalcy for neighbors.
"I was very disappointed when the bank was closed because this is the most convenient one for me to come to," said customer Eric Folds.
- SPECIAL SECTION: Sherman Park Healing
The bank said in a statement: "It was very important for us to move fast, because we wanted to provide our customers with a facility for them to conduct their banking."
For the customers, it's a time-saver.
"It's saving me a lot of time," said Erica Hunt, who stopped by the bank Friday with her three small kids in the car. "The sooner I feed them," she joked, "the quieter they get."
Hunt said beyond the 15 minutes saved, the bank re-opening gives her hope.
"They're putting in some effort in this neighborhood and it's really, really exciting," she said.
Just two doors down from the bank sits the offices for the Sherman Park Community Association. Barry Givens, the Board President, said this is the start of recovery. He said he's glad to see the investment back in Sherman Park.
BMO Harris Bank wrote in a statement "we’re still in the process of assessing the damage to the branch. The damage was extensive, so this will be a lengthy process. We’re committed to the Sherman Park community, we play an active role in it, and we’re proud to be part of it."
Public Relations Manager Patrick O'Herlihy said the bank won't know for a long time if the temporary location will be permanent, or if they'll stay in the neighborhood.
Givens hopes BMO Harris will and other businesses will do the same.
"This community cannot afford to lose any businesses," he said.
