A good bank helps businesses grow. The Inn at Serenbe began as many small businesses do: with a family. In 1994, the Nygrens purchased 60 acres and a century-old farmhouse that became their family home. Today, the Nygrens have made their home their business through the development of Serenbe, a “new urban” wellness community. Atlantic Capital has been a trusted facilitator in Serenbe’s growth by providing a long-term financing solution through a tailored SBA loan program.
The Nygren family has always had a knack for hospitality and the culinary arts, but when they fell in love with Chattahoochee Hills, a hidden bucolic gem just thirty minutes south of downtown Atlanta, they saw their vision for Serenbe unfold. In 2004, the family permanently relocated to the farmhouse and began developing their plan for Serenbe around the importance of place. They knew they wanted Serenbe to draw value from the land without compromising the undeveloped property they had come to love.
The Nygrens’ vision required capital, and they turned to Atlantic Capital for financing options. The bank tailored a solution—a 25-year, fully amortized real estate loan—that enabled the Nygrens to expand their family home into a 27-room establishment known today as the Inn at Serenbe.
The financing not only gave them the power to renovate their farmhouse, it also secured the necessary capital to construct nine additional guest rooms and The Oak Ballroom, a signature Serenbe venue. The additional infrastructure significantly increased the Inn’s capacity, allowing them to house larger parties, facilitate more business meetings, and host more weddings, all year round.
Garnie Nygren, the Inn’s General Manager and Director of Operations, collaborated with Brian Harper, Atlantic Capital’s SVP, SBA Banker, to generate the transaction that worked for both parties. The process, Garnie found, was easy and straightforward.
“Everything we do we try to do from a local basis, including banking. In the Inn’s case, we needed to build a relationship with a local bank who knows the marketplace and knows us personally. Working with Atlantic Capital made doing business enjoyable because they are just as invested in our business as we are,” Garnie said.
Brian added that the process was equally enjoyable and rewarding for the bank, stating that “Atlantic Capital did what was necessary for the client and the bank, all the while appreciating the rich complexity to responsibly facilitate growth for the Inn.”
With a recently completed second loan, the process was again seamless. Garnie explained, “When you’re three years out from your first loan and you need updates and renovations, it’s so much easier to already have a great bank partner.”
For a business like Serenbe, community is everything. It’s important to work with someone who understands that. When your business banker grasps the heart and soul of your business, it’s easier to trust that person to help your business grow. In working with Atlantic Capital, Garnie experienced that banking local can reverse the negative dynamics of working with a bank that has a one-size-fits-all approach.
If you’re looking for a reason to visit Serenbe’s flourishing grounds, start with an overnight stay at the Inn. It’s where Serenbe started, and it’s the gateway to understanding what living in a wellness community has to offer. The thirty-minute drive from downtown to the property reveals a different world. Take a day trip to the farmers market or plan a weekend getaway. Who knows – your love affair with Serenbe may just last a lifetime.
The Nygrens’ story is just one example of how our team has helped small business owners realize their vision. If you need innovative financing provided by dedicated bankers, Atlantic Capital is the hometown business bank you need. Contact Brian Harper at brian.harper@atlcapbank.com to get started.