Arden’s Garden, a business that began with the aid of the U.S. Small Business Administration, will be recognized as an SBA Legacy Business at its East Point location on August 21st. This recognition is part of the SBA’s 70th-anniversary festivities taking place this month, and Arden’s Garden is one of 68 Legacy Businesses being acknowledged nationwide.
Arden Zinn, the founder of Arden’s Garden, started the business in 1995. She was known as “Atlanta’s First Lady of Fitness” by the President’s Council, and her career was founded on her passion for nutrition and fitness. In 1970, she opened her first fitness center, Arden Zinn Studio, on Peachtree Road, and went on to open 30 additional studios in locations such as metro Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, and Augusta, as well as Tennessee, Florida, and the Carolinas. Arden received two SBA loans in the ’70s and ’80s to support her fitness studios.
Today, Arden’s Garden has 16 retail stores, two squeezing facilities, and its juices are available in supermarkets such as Whole Foods, Publix, Kroger, Walmart, and Sprouts. The company received an SBA 504 loan in 2002, which allowed it to establish its processing plant and store on Main Street in East Point.
“Being named an SBA Legacy Business is a tremendous honor. It not only recognizes our past achievements but is a testament to my mother’s enduring commitment and resilience,” said Leslie Zinn, Arden’s Garden CEO. “This honor reminds us that success is not measured solely in profits but in the lasting impact we leave on our community.”
“For 70 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has helped entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and secure the funding to start, grow, and achieve their dreams of business ownership,” said Terri Denison, SBA Georgia District Director. “Small businesses are the fabric of our nation’s economy and a vital component of our local neighborhoods. We celebrate Arden’s Garden for their legacy as a small business that helped create jobs and for becoming a well-known brand in Georgia and beyond.”
