Amazing Abandoned Bank Vaults

Image by Lori Spindler

Bloc 11 Cafe, in Somerville MA, is in a vacant bank building on Bow Street, including its abandoned vaults in which you can sit and sip your cappuccino. Opened in October 2007 after an extensive renovation of the abandoned site, it has recently been voted as one of the Best U.S. Coffee Bars by Food and Wine Magazine. Enjoy a varied menu of soups, sandwiches and coffees while gazing around at the safety deposit boxes and wondering what secret treasures they once held. LINK

In the apartment I lived in before I moved to where I am now, there was a bank vault. It was really cool using the vault to store your things. If I ever run across the pictures I took I will be sure to post one. Arbyn remembers the vault, we talk about it on occasion. That was back in our dating days. This coming February Arbyn and I have lived together for Two years.

Bottle Bank Arcade

From The Fun Theory, a project by Volkswagen and the ones who brought us the piano staircase, comes bottle bank arcade. Again the question is posed, “If we make it fun, will people start doing it?” Yes, they will. LINK, Via: Youtube

The Bird of Paradise Without Wings

Back in 1773 there was a buzz at the Royal Gardens of Kew. The Director, Sir Joseph Banks was about to introduce a new flower to the collection and he had named it after the Queen of the time. Queen Charlotte was the Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz so this exotic new addition was called Strelitzua reginae in her honor. To the inhabitants of eighteenth century England the flower, then, represented the epitome of courtly glamour and its appearance was key to its instant success. However, it was to become best known by its common name - the bird-of-paradise flower. It is easy to see why. LINK

The 5 Oldest Banks In The World

With so much focus on the demise of banks of all sizes, its easy to imagine the worst doomsday scenarios and wonder if your own bank is next. However, some banks have continued operations throughout civil wars, world wars and economic depressions without going under.

These are not the first banks in the world, which trace back to early lending from priests to merchants in 18th century B.C. Babylon and up through the Roman empire, but rather these are five of the oldest surviving banks in the world, and they each tell a story. LINK