On the night before Thanksgiving, Rockland Trust Manager Jessica Abbott, her daughter, and staff transformed the bank branch at 264 Nantasket Avenue into “Who-ville” – the village in Dr. Suess’s holiday tale “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” – to the great surprise and pleasure of all who enter the bank.

“The idea was a team brainstorm. We really wanted to put smiles on our customers’ faces,” Abbott told The Hull Times. “While our goal is to be a friendly community bank, we try to not make it too business-like and to [create an] experience for everyone that’s a little different.”

GUESS WHO? The creative elves at the Hull branch of Rockland Trust Company were busy transforming the bank into their own version of Whoville, the village visited by the Grinch in Dr. Suess’s holiday classic ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’ Customer Paul Samardak complimented the bank’s Violet Vargas and branch Manager Jessie Abbott on the decorations during a visit last week, while Patti Panetta, Violet Vargas, Dan O’Brien, Jessie Abbott, and Kristen Walsh were dressed in costume to put the final touch on the scene. [Skip Tull photos]

Everyone is “just in awe [of the decorations], which really came out nicely,” Abbott said. “Rockland Trust branches are encouraged to decorate here and there, but we really ran with it. We ‘re happy that it came full circle, which is what we wanted.”

Rockland Trust is continuing its Fun Fridays tradition throughout the year, “encouraging our customers to have fun” and to enjoy food, treats, giveaways, or raffles each week.

“My assistant Violet Vargas, who was part of decorating the bank for the holidays, does a great job,” Abbott said.

The Who-ville decorations will remain in place through the end of December.

-- Carol Britton Meyer

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