Imagine a classic “Main Street” bustling with activity – people shopping, dining, and socializing.
By 2020, this vibrant scene had become a distant memory for Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania. Local entrepreneur Renee Noel saw the potential to revive the town’s heart. When she purchased the building that once housed the first Roaring Spring Bank, the area was in a state of disrepair.
“It was deteriorating,” Renee said, describing the stretch of town at the time. She was happy to take on the challenge.
“We bought this building not knowing what we were going to do with it,” Renee admitted. “Many businesses in Roaring Spring had closed, so we were trying to rebuild Main Street.”
While her sister opened Spring Dam Brewing Company, the town’s first alcohol establishment in a century, Renee opened The Vault, a café next door catering to the morning crowd. True to its name, the café incorporates the original bank vault door as a unique feature behind the barista counter. Since its opening in 2022, The Vault has become a popular community gathering place, fulfilling Renee’s vision.
“The pandemic made people’s world a little smaller,” said Renee. “I believe it has helped breathe smaller businesses into each town.”
This wasn’t Renee’s first entrepreneurial endeavor. Since 2006, she has been running her successful business, R&D Creations. She attributes part of her success to the longstanding relationship she has built with Reliance Bank.
“Put it this way, every time I have a growth spurt, I call Colton,” said Renee. Colton Kensinger is a Commercial Banker at Reliance Bank, based in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
“Being a smaller bank allows us to be more flexible and creative in our approach,” said Colton. “Many small business owners don’t know what they need or what’s available, so we’re here to help with that.”
The support is something Renee deeply appreciates.
“They’ve been with me since 2006 when I opened my account with $250,” said Renee. “We’ve come a long way together.”