Local Landmark Relies on SLFCU
The new Field guest rooms and suites at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm are next to the lavender fields.
Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, located in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM, was originally founded in 1934. In 1976, owners Penny and Armin Rembe purchased half of the original headquarters of the property. In 1999, they purchased the second half and with their family developed a preservation plan to maintain the historic architecture, gardens, and farmland in perpetuity. Today Los Poblanos encompasses a working organic farm; Campo, a field-to-fork restaurant; a lavender bath and body goods business based on recipes developed by Penny; a retail shop; and a 50-room boutique inn. Three generations of the Rembe family have owned and operated Los Poblanos. Since 2009 they have worked with SLFCU to help develop the farm and business.
Jay Rembe, Board Chairman of Los Poblanos and CEO/Founder of Rembe Urban Design + Development, says he prefers working with a financial partner in the community. “At any big bank now, none of the underwriting is done locally. They have less interest in relationships and track records with the client, and often have their hands tied with decision making. With SLFCU, it’s relationship banking – you’re working with local people, and SLFCU is very competitive, flexible, and seamless.”
SLFCU helped Los Poblanos with financing for their first expansion in 2011. This renovation added 19 additional rooms to the inn, renovated parts of the property, and added landscaping and infrastructure. “When we did our first expansion,” Jay says, “not many lenders were willing to help with a large renovation. SLFCU came in, looked at the numbers, our performance, and the strength of the borrowers, and then jumped right in to help.”
The Farm Shop at Los Poblanos is located in a newly renovated historic milking barn.
Continued Growth at Los Poblanos
By 2017 Los Poblanos was experiencing significant success. The Rembe family decided to take the next step to expand the business while maintaining their mission of sustainable agriculture and authentic preservation of the property and buildings. “Through a lot of hard work we added another 28 rooms; renovated and repurposed these great old barn buildings; brought in the restaurant, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and more dining space; and really expanded the wholesale and retail operations.”
Campo, Los Poblanos’s new field-to-fork restaurant, is located in the restored milking barn.
Jay appreciates that SLFCU finances unique projects. “The 2017 expansion wasn’t typical, and projects like this can be hard to finance. SLFCU offered great financing that allowed us to take the next step to create what we think is a great asset for the community.
“SLFCU has been with us from one phase to another,” Jay says, “and if it wasn’t for SLFCU, Los Poblanos wouldn’t be here today. You have great individuals working there who really, truly care. They go the extra mile to help you – and understand real estate which is helpful, too. I think they’re the best at what they do.”
All photographs on this page: Atkin Olshin Schade Architects / Kate Russell Photography.
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