Community First Credit Union begins renovation of Edgewood Bakery

Alexandria Mansfield, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union

Fri, February 6, 2026 at 10:04 AM UTC

3 min read

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.

Community First Credit Union officially launched construction on the former Edgewood Bakery building in Murray Hill this week, marking a major step in the revitalization of one of Jacksonville’s most recognizable neighborhood landmarks.

The Jacksonville-based credit union held a renovation launch event Monday at the site, located at Edgewood Avenue, alongside former bakery owners Gary and Sandy Polletta, District City Councilman 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 the Murray Hill.

The project will transform the long-vacant bakery building into what Community First leaders describe as their most unique branch yet in its design 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 neighborhood staple, closed in 2016.

According to Community First President and CEO Sam Inman, the credit union saw the site as an opportunity to preserve a piece of Murray Hill’s identity while reinvesting in the community.

“As Community First embarks on transforming the former Edgewood Bakery into a modern, state-of-the-art credit union branch, we’re excited to honor the legacy this beloved Murray Hill bakery has in the community,” Inman said. “Our thoughtful design will make this one of our most distinctive branches yet, and we’re confident it will once again become a neighborhood hub.”

What will the new Murray Hill branch include?

Unlike a traditional bank branch, the redesigned Murray Hill location will feature several community-oriented elements, including a front lawn and social gathering area, dedicated community room, refreshed parking lot and full exterior updates.

Local officials and Community First Credit Union personnel break ground on the upcoming Murray Hill branch at the former site of Edgewood Bakery.

Inside, the branch will include a custom mural depicting historical photos of the Murray Hill neighborhood, continuing Community First’s practice of incorporating local history into its branch designs.

The entire floorplan will be configured within the existing one-story structure.

How does the project fit into Murray Hill’s revitalization?

Local leaders say the Edgewood Bakery site plays a key role in the ongoing revitalization of Murray Hill’s retail corridor.

“The Edgewood Bakery site is a cornerstone of the revitalization of the Murray Hill retail corridor,” said Greg Beere, president of the Murray Hill Preservation Association. “Our team has been actively engaged with Community First Credit Union as the voice of our neighbors, and we’re delighted to see the building transformed into a unique asset for this community.”

City Councilman Jimmy Peluso speaks at the Community First Credit Union's upcoming new branch in the Murray Hill.

District City Councilman Jimmy Peluso also attended Monday’s launch event, underscoring the project’s significance to the area’s economic and neighborhood development.

When will the new Community First branch open?

Construction is now underway, and Community First expects the Murray Hill branch renovation to be completed by the end of 2026.

The project team includes TTV Architects as the designer, Auld & White Constructors as the building contractor, NAI Hallmark as the 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 based in Jacksonville. The credit union serves anyone who lives or works on the First Coast and operates 24 locations with more than 450 employees.

Community First currently holds approximately $3 billion in assets and serves 188,000 members across Northeast Florida, offering banking, loans, mortgages and investment services for both consumers and businesses.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What’s happening at Edgewood Bakery? Community First starts renovation

About Our Ads

Source