This building first served as the Newberry Brothers Building in the 1920s, which housed storefronts. The Citizens National Bank was a few doorways north from this corner. In 1925, the Newbury Brothers Building collapsed when repairs were being made to expand the Citizens National Bank building.8 When rebuilt, it then became Citizens National Bank. Notice the small windows just above the door? This is a five-foot room where armed guards with their Tommy-Guns would sit and patrol the front door of the bank.8 Alarm bells were also installed above the safe door because of robberies during this time of Bonnie and Clyde. Citizens National Bank closed in 1933, but the building continued to be used as a bank. From 1937 to 1957, it was used for the Romeo Post Office and in the 1980s, it became a Radio Shack electronics store.8 It was later part of Town Hall Antiques, transitioned into a old-time soda fountain shop, and is currently Main’s Treat Coffee shop.
This juxtaposition feature shows the evolution of Citizens National Bank in Romeo, Michigan. On the left, we have a historical image dating back to the late 1920s when it was the Newbury Building, and on the right, the current state of the building as it stands today (March 2025). This comparison highlights the changes over the years and serves as a reminder of the area's rich history.
Old Advertisement. The Romeo Observer, June 9, 1966.
Newbury Brothers Building, 1920. The Romeo Observer, Feb. 16, 1977.
Casey's Grocery in the Newbury Building. The Romeo Observer, Dec. 1, 1966
Inside Casey's Grocery in the 1920s. The Romeo Observer, April 20, 1967.
Front of Newbury Brothers Building, 1920s. Romeo Historical Society.
Delivery of 60 McCormick Harvesting Machines on June 23, 1883. The Newbury Brothers Building can be seen in the background. The Romeo Observer, May, 19, 1966.
The Newbury Brothers Building is on the corner and Citizens National Bank is the taller section of building in the middle of the block. The Romeo Observer, May 19, 1966.
Photograph from Fireman's Day on August 21, 1896. The Newbury Brothers Building & Citizens National Bank can be seen in the background. The Romeo Observer, June 2, 1966
Inside the Citizens National Bank, early 1900s. Pictured from left are Henry McKay, Albert Crissman, Samuel Reode, Walter Bailey, and Texas John Smith. The Romeo Observer, June 2, 1966
Inside the Citizens National Bank, 1916. Pictured are Henry McKay, Byron Seaman, Richard Reide, Nathenn Reide, Texas John Smith. Romeo Historical Society.
Blank check from the Citizens National Bank. The Romeo Observer, Feb. 9, 1967.
Picture postcard depicting Homecoming celebration on Aug. 7, 1913. The Newbury Brothers Build (Romeo Savings Bank) & Citizens National Bank can be seen in the background. The Romeo Observer, Sep. 22, 1966.
When the Citizens National Bank wanted to expand its building, it decided to expand south down the block to the corner where the Newbury Brothers Building stood. Unfortunately, the building collapse during the expansion in 1925. The Romeo Observer, April 20, 1967.
More photographs of the collapse of the Newbury Brothers Building in 1925. The Romeo Observer, April 20, 1967.
Photograph of the Newbury Brothers Building collapse, 1925. Romeo Historical Society.
Detroit & Northern Savings Bank. Notice the awning along the sidewalk. It ran for the entire block and offered shelter and shade to visitors. McLaughlin Collection.
“There was an elevator, and it's still in that building [but] it's been closed off. Kids used to go there, . . . go up there and climb up. . . . We would do that a couple times. Actually, we went up, sometimes, up a stairway and got on top of the buildings there.”
“It was a bank for a long time then a Radio Shack. … It was always cool to have a Radio Shack in an old bank and go to shop and [see] the old vault.”