Northwest Bank is planning to build a “state-of-the-art” branch at 7 S. Main St., home to Oriental Star Buffet that recently closed its doors. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

Northwest Bank this week confirmed its plans for a new “state-of-the-art” branch to be built in Jamestown.

The bank currently is eyeing 7 S. Main St., home to Oriental Star Buffet, for the expansion project. Though no notice was posted, the Chinese restaurant closed its doors within the last week.

For years, Northwest has had a presence in the city, with multiple branches located in the area and its name attached to the downtown ice arena. Founded in Warren, Pa., Northwest acquired Jamestown Savings Bank in 1998 and later rebranded all remaining locations in 2016.

Shawn Walker, executive vice president of communications and regional marketing at Northwest, confirmed that site plans for the new branch have been established. The project has not yet gone before the city Planning Commission.

“We’re very invested in Jamestown and very invested in the community,” Walker told The Post-Journal. “We felt it was time to put in a state-of-the-art branch with all of our business partners in a brand new facility.”

Walker said the Brooklyn Square site, with its ample parking and located next to a busy intersection, was a “perfect spot” to place a new branch. In addition to traditional banking services to be provided inside, he said the location will include full-service drive through lanes.

No timeline for the project, which will include tearing down the former restaurant, has been announced. Walker said it typically takes anywhere from six to nine months to construct a new branch once approvals and permits at the local level are obtained.

“Our roots are in Jamestown, going back to when Jamestown Savings Bank was purchased,” he said, later adding, “it’s a great all-around market, and we’re very pleased to be making another investment in the Chautauqua and Jamestown region. … Jamestown has been very kind to us and we want to be very kind to Jamestown.”

Walker said no decisions have been made regarding the bank’s current branch just up the road at the corner of North Main and West Third streets. Other branches are located on Foote Avenue in the city as well as one in Falconer and Lakewood.

Northwest is not the only business with a presence already established in the city to announce future construction plans in Brooklyn Square. The owner of several local Tim Hortons franchises is looking to build a new 2,700-square-foot store at 10 S. Main St., most recently home to Jimmy’s Restaurant.

Construction on the new coffee shop is expected to begin this spring with an opening date of late August or early September. When that location opens, the Tim Hortons across the street will be closed.