Have you ever picked up your groceries at Trader Joe’s on Court Street in Brooklyn and noticed the historical marker on the building’s facade? Many shoppers at this popular Trader Joe’s Court Street Brooklyn location are familiar with the plaque commemorating a Revolutionary War site, but fewer know about the rich history of the building itself. This location, now a bustling grocery store, was once a significant banking institution in the heart of Brooklyn.
Trader Joe's Court Street Brooklyn building exterior, formerly South Brooklyn Savings Bank
A Revolutionary War Landmark
The tablet, unveiled in August 1926, provides a glimpse into the area’s distant past. It reads: “Near this place during the Revolutionary War stood the Ponkiesberg Fortification, from which Gen. George Washington is said to have observed the fighting at Gowanus during the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776.” This historical connection adds another layer of intrigue to the Trader Joe’s Court Street Brooklyn shopping experience, reminding us that even modern spaces are often built upon layers of history.
From Savings Institution to Grocery Aisles
However, the building’s story extends beyond the Revolutionary War. Before it became the Trader Joe’s Court Street Brooklyn we know today, it served as home to The South Brooklyn Savings Institution. Founded in 1850, this institution was the second oldest savings bank in Brooklyn and on Long Island, established to serve the growing community. Initially located in the Brooklyn Athenaeum building, the bank quickly prospered and moved to a larger building just five years later. Its continued success led to the construction of a new landmark building in 1871, solidifying its presence in Brooklyn’s retail center.
Yet, even this grand building eventually became too small for the expanding bank. In 1919, The South Brooklyn Savings Institution acquired a site just a block away at the corner of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue for an even more impressive structure. This new building, the very same one that now houses Trader Joe’s Court Street Brooklyn, opened its doors on September 24, 1924. At the opening, the bank highlighted its deep roots in the community, stating its close identification with the progress of South Brooklyn for almost seventy-five years.
Historical tablet at Trader Joe's Court Street Brooklyn commemorating Ponkiesberg Fortification and George Washington
Architectural Dignity
The architectural firm behind this stately building was McKenzie, Voorhees & Gmelin, renowned for also designing the Brooklyn Municipal Building and later for their pioneering Art Deco skyscrapers. The bank building was constructed with a dignified limestone exterior. Inside, the main floor was dedicated to a large banking room, with bank officers working from a platform at the rear, connected to conference and board rooms. Advertisements at the time of opening in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reflected the bank’s pride in their new edifice, calling it a symbol of the “dignity and permanence” of their 74-year-old institution.
Over the years, the South Brooklyn Savings Bank evolved, changing its name to South Brooklyn Savings Bank in 1930 and then to Independence Savings Bank in 1975. Eventually, in 2006, it was acquired by Sovereign Bank. The building’s transformation into Trader Joe’s Court Street Brooklyn occurred in September 2008, marking a new chapter in its long and varied history.
Today, as you shop for groceries at Trader Joe’s Court Street Brooklyn, take a moment to appreciate the building’s rich past. From its origins as a site of Revolutionary War importance to its decades as a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s banking industry, this location holds a significant place in the neighborhood’s history, now serving the community in a new and delicious way.
