Commerce Bank closing 21st and Grove branch, donating building to Wichita nonprofits

Commerce Bank is closing its branch at 21st Street and Grove and donating the north Wichita building to three nonprofits.

The bank’s location at 2333 E. 21st Street North will become the home of Create Campaign Inc., Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce and Camp Destination Innovation Inc., Commerce Bank officials said Tuesday in a news release.

Commerce Bank will continue to operate out of the location until Dec. 28.

Christina Long, founder of Create Campaign, said the nonprofit is completing the paperwork for Commerce Bank to donate the building to Create Campaign. While the nonprofit has held events and meetings at other Wichita locations in conjunction with multiple community partners, the bank building at 21st and Grove will be its first permanent home, Long told The Eagle.

“Our goal is not just to be able to talk about how exciting entrepreneurship is in Wichita, but to make it more accessible to people,” Long said. “This building will be an accessible point of entry and a place where people will be able to find resources.”

Monte Cook, CEO and president of Commerce Bank in Wichita, said it was no longer feasible to keep the branch open. The branch opened 21 years ago as part of a revitalization plan for the area, but its small customer base didn’t grow much, and banking became more digital.

“It’s never an easy decision to close a branch,” Cook said in the release. “However, we believe the organizations moving into the space will make a lasting impact on our community by providing training and mentoring services to current and future business leaders.”

Cook said he reached out to Councilman Brandon Johnson about how Commerce Bank could continue to invest in the community, and Johnson suggested the three organizations.

“These are three amazing organizations that are focusing on the tough work of growing and supporting entrepreneurs and small business in our city,” Johnson said in the release. “In their own right, they are making a real impact, but being together under one roof to become a one-stop shop to make an individual’s American dream become reality is life changing. Great things happen when corporations, cities and service organizations come together to serve the community, and we’re excited to see how this partnership will help develop our citizens.”

The three organizations assist youth and people of color interested in starting a small business. They currently serve about 400 people in the Wichita community, the release said.

Cook said that there will be no job losses with the closing of the branch; employees will be moved to other Wichita locations. A new, full-service ATM will be placed in the drive-through area.

The nearest Commerce Bank location to the branch that’s closing is on Wichita State University’s campus, near 17th and Hillside. Additional locations are at 13th and Woodlawn and Central and Main.