One of Rochester’s most recognized and historic icons has gotten a new home with Monroe Tech, a computer sales and repair business in Hilton, NY. The Hard Working Dollar logo, once used by First Federal Bank has been a Rochester staple since the late 1940s. “It’s just one of those logos you look at and think, ‘That’s Rochester!’” according to Chris Tobin, President of Monroe Tech.
“When I was a kid there was nothing like going to the bank with your hard earned paper route money and having your book stamped,” Tobin added. “I would look at that Hard Working Dollar logo the whole way to the bank and really appreciate what it meant to earn a buck. To me that same philosophy works in running a small business. Small business owners are some of the hardest working people out there, and this logo represents that work ethic.”
According to author Richard O. Reisem in his 1997 book “100 Years of the Hard Working Dollar,” a book about the history of the First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Rochester, the Hard Working Dollar logo was first designed in 1947. An entire chapter in this book is devoted to the special history of this emblem. Over time and through bank mergers, it ended its public use in 1982, and was decommissioned in 2004. First Federal used the little man with a variety of costumes, and even had a jingle written in the 1960s for commercials. “When I was looking up information about the logo and saw it was available, my heart just stopped. It was a great piece of my childhood history, and what better way to bring that feeling to my company than to bring it back to life,” Tobin said.
The response by Monroe Tech customers has been extremely positive, to say the least. Tobin also noted, “When people come in and see the logo for the first time, they have the biggest look of excitement on their faces. It may be a sense of nostalgia for those who recall its earlier role, and for others perhaps it’s that smile he has. A common response is that it’s an image you can trust. I bring that same sense of pride in my business to all my customers, and this iconic logo is a perfect representation of my business and my employees.”
You can read more about the Hard Working Dollar at hardworkingdollar.com
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