While our corporate headquarters has had a number of homes over the last 100 years, our second location has never moved too far. North Shore Savings opened the Southwest branch at 9115 West Oklahoma Avenue (pictured above) in southwest Milwaukee just over 50 years ago, in October 1972.

First Federal Savings (at right) occupied the original Southwest location before North Shore moved in. Bank officials were all smiles at the ribbon cutting, as you can see at right as well.

In 1985, the branch made its one big move — just around the corner to a new building at 9131 West Oklahoma, right behind the original location. The lot had previously been home to a gas station.

The grand opening celebration for the new and improved Southwest branch would last more than a week and feature local and national celebrities including WTMJ radio personality Gordon Hinkley, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Rollie Fingers, and Green Bay Packers linebacker John Anderson — as well as Seymour Savings’s carnivorous predecessor, Homer the North Shore Lion. Attendees who moved fast enough could also lay claim to a free geranium.

Since then, the Southwest building has enjoyed the occasional facelift and upgrade, but remained in its place, now under the thoughtful stewardship of branch manager Joline Lazarski and her team.