When Chris and Kelly Canada moved to Amery in 2020, they had no idea that within a few short years, they’d become local business owners. For Chris, ownership had been a lifelong dream. And when a well-established local business, Club 53, went up for sale, the couple saw it as the opportunity they’d been waiting for.

But like any dream, making it real took more than just ambition—it required the right loan partner.

Club 53’s former owner steered Chris and Kelly in the direction of Pillar Bank, specifically recommending Tony Meyers, one of our experienced commercial lenders. That introduction turned out to be pivotal. “Tony is one of the key reasons we chose Pillar,” said Chris. “From the very first meeting, he was responsive, thorough, and genuinely invested in helping us succeed.”

Unlike another bank which provided the wrong application and triggered unwanted credit inquiries, Tony and the team took a different approach. There were no cookie-cutter applications or impersonal online forms. Instead, there were conversations, detailed scenario planning, and thoughtful guidance.

Kelly, a finance manager with extensive experience working with banks, was immediately impressed. “I’ve worked with a lot of financial institutions, and I recognized excellence in Tony right away. He went the extra mile every step of the way.”

From running multiple financial projections to double-checking paperwork and even helping with non-banking-related issues, Tony’s approach was hands-on and human. When an opportunity for a regional finance loan came up, Tony explored it with them even though they didn’t end up qualifying, they were grateful for the extra effort.

“Our experience wasn’t just about a transaction—it was a relationship,” said Kelly. “Tony made sure we understood everything and felt supported. We weren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet.”

Now proud owners of Club 53, Chris and Kelly are settling into their new roles and embracing life as small business owners in a town they love. And they do so by knowing they’ve got a bank behind them that truly has their back.” We highly recommend Pillar to anyone,” said Chris. “We felt heard, guided, and above all – valued.”

If you’re looking for a business banking relationship that goes above and beyond your expectations, turn to Pillar Bank for local banking, done right.