A roaring '20s good time at The Bank
by Brian Graves
January 22, 2024
More than eight decades after First National Bank of Oxford closed its Main Street doors, those doors have reopened as a gateway to the past.
The Bank, Main Street’s newest food and drink establishment, held its formal ribbon cutting on Jan. 19 and is the brainchild of two entrepreneurial couples.
Succ It Up owners Chip and Gracie Jancsek teamed up with Gary and Laura Humphreys, who own the Redbird Coffeehouse in Jacksonville, to make this blast from the past a reality.
Gracie said the Humphreys had come to Succ It Up inquiring about getting some plants for their coffee shop.
“That’s how we met,” Gracie said. “This building then became available, and Chip had this brainchild. We started talking about having this 1920s theme and we worked together to bring this about.”
“We are excited to have another business downtown where people can go and help this area grow,” Gracie said. Laura said called the couples’ efforts “a love project.”
“We are going to get better and stronger,” Laura said. “We have a fantastic team that is top-notch. It’s great to come into a place where people are excited about something new, and we wanted to duplicate a place and time where people could rest very well, eat very well, drink very well, and have a really good time.”
“I am so happy this downtown landmark has a new life,” said Historic Main Street Oxford director Hunter Gentry.
“You have done everything you told me you were going to do,” Mayor Alton Craft told the owners. “I remember what this place looked like, and you have done a fantastic job. I appreciate your commitment.”