When I looked down the street from our parking spot in Hyde Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, I quickly noticed the unmistakable tall columns of a bank building.
You’ve probably seen them as well in older communities.
Banks built in the United States in the 1800’s and early 1900’s often included tall columns in the front facade, influenced by Greek and Roman architecture.
I noticed the building still had the words “Hyde Park Savings Bank” engraved at the top.
But it was no longer a bank.
The green canopy sign over the door announced Teller’s, a restaurant known for its wide selection of beers and scrumptious food (Bananas Foster, anyone?).
After visiting other renovated bank buildings, including one in our nearby community of Plymouth, Michigan, I had to go inside to check out the renovation myself.
I smiled as I entered the restaurant.
The restaurant architects and designers held true to the building’s origin and maintained the character of the original space.
Teller’s of Hyde Park
When I walked through the door, I was impressed with the airiness and space in the two-story tall building.
A main floor with long wooden bar on the right gave way to a staircase in the back, leading up to the second-story outdoor patio.
And when I glanced to the left, I saw how Teller’s incorporated the old bank teller windows over the tables.
Cool!
After talking with the manager, I discovered the old teller windows were discovered in the basement of the building, along with a lot of other banking equipment, when they started renovating the building into a restaurant.
If you look closely, you’ll notice the old bank deposit slip holders and the front key area of the safe deposit boxes are used to hold the salt and pepper shakers on each table.
When was the last time you saw those type of deposit slip holders? I can’t recall!
The old vault, commonly located at the back of the building?
Now a private dining room. Fascinating to see the glass covered inner workings of the vault door!
