If you walked down West Market Street Tuesday morning, you could feel it — that mix of relief and celebration that comes when something old is made new again.
A ribbon cutting on February 24 marked the official opening of Loudoun Credit Union’s new home at 6 W. Market Street in downtown Leesburg. For many in attendance, it felt less like a grand opening and more like a homecoming.
Board Chair Cindy Mester didn’t hide her excitement.
“We are so excited to be back in historic downtown Leesburg, as we near 50 years of member service and open the fourth location in our credit union’s history,” Mester said. “We’re looking forward to being part of the daily rhythm of downtown life, seeing familiar faces walk through our doors, supporting small businesses and nonprofits, and participating in community events throughout the year.”
For those of us who’ve watched downtown evolve — sometimes too fast, sometimes in ways that feel disconnected from its roots — there’s something grounding about a member-owned financial cooperative choosing to plant itself right here again.
Loudoun Credit Union serves people who live, work, learn, and worship in Loudoun County. And this move, Mester said, reinforces that local commitment.
The building itself carries a story. It was badly damaged in a 2021 fire and sat as a reminder of what was lost. Loudoun Credit Union is the first business to reopen in the restored space. Mester credited local builders, architects, designers, and tradespeople who brought the historic structure back to life rather than letting it fade into memory.
Students from the Academies of Loudoun even crafted the custom hanging signs now displayed inside — a detail that ties the county’s next generation to one of its long-standing institutions.
“That spirit of local collaboration is exactly what Loudoun Credit Union stands for,” Mester said. “We’re proud to call historic downtown Leesburg home again and look forward to serving this community for decades to come.”
As the credit union continues to grow, the staff is especially excited about opening its community room to local groups. During parades, First Fridays, and festivals, the space will serve as a welcoming stop along Market Street.
“We want our home to feel like it belongs to the entire community,” Mester said.
That’s a message that resonates in a county where growth often feels impersonal. In the middle of new construction and expanding neighborhoods, downtown Leesburg remains one of the few places where Loudoun’s history and its future meet face to face.
Loudoun Credit Union’s hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. More information is available at loudouncu.com.
For longtime residents, this isn’t just another business opening. It’s a restored building, a familiar name, and another reminder that downtown still matters.
