Known the South over for providing a little extra space when you need it the most, The Storage Center has been serving business and residential customers in Louisiana and beyond since its humble Baton Rouge beginnings in 1986. Now spread across a handful of states including Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, The Storage Center has an uncommon approach to storage, according to Robby Piper, one of the company’s principal representatives—a process that he believes makes them stand out among competitors. “Storage is all we do. We prefer to build—pick a piece of dirt and build a nice Class A, indoor storage facility, and then own it forever,” he explained. “We’re unique in that most people in the storage business are buying and selling assets over again. This long-term approach invests in the community," Piper pointed out. The company adds higher-quality landscaping, more attractive exterior materials, extensive lighting, and ample amenities for customers. Their goal is not simply to build as cheaply as possible, then pass a subpar facility off to the first interested buyer. “We’re not planning on building something, then selling it three years later when it’s profitable,” Piper said. “We’re going to stand behind it for the rest of time.”

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The company took the same approach when planning a new facility in Youngsville, just south of Lafayette. As Lafayette continues to expand, The Storage Center is working to increase its presence in the municipality and surrounding towns. “Lafayette’s a vibrant community,” Piper said. “Throughout different economic times, Lafayette’s always performed well.” Seeking to build a Class A, multi-story, indoor, climate-controlled facility, the company went in search of financing to help make the project a reality. Piper and his team took note of Bank of St. Francisville’s expansion into Baton Rouge with a Highland Road location. “That caught our eye and made us start thinking about them as an option for us,” Piper said.

"Storage is all we do. We prefer to build-pick a piece of dirt and build a nice, Class-A, indoor storage facility, and then own it forever" - Robby Piper

He and Douglas Dupont, EVP and Baton Rouge Market President for BSF, knew each other informally, and began discussing the possibility of The Storage Center and BSF working together. “Coming up with terms and loan structures that are mutually beneficial to both the client and the bank is something we pride ourselves on. BSF approaches this effort with a unique perspective, viewing ourselves not merely as credit providers but as partners in the client's investment,” Dupont said. “This ensures that Robby and his team’s financial goals and investment strategies are always at the forefront of the objective.”

The deal was right for BSF. Piper found the bank liked the location and the size of the project—and the timing worked out perfectly. “Bank of St. Francisville is about as pleasant a bank to work with as you’ll find today,” Piper said. “As the role of banking has gotten more complex, with more regulations, and generally more unpleasant, BSF stood out. They were easy to deal with. They were responsive, and the deal came together within 60 days—from initial conversations to loan closing.” The loan was closed by December 31, 2024—and Piper is looking forward to working with the bank in the coming years on the Youngsville property, and others. “It was an absolute pleasure working with Robby and his team in getting this project closed in a timely manner,” Dupont said. “I venture to say the transaction went seamlessly.” “The experience was painless. It’s rare, I would say, to start a relationship with a bank never having worked with them before, and closing that quickly,” Piper added. “You have a personal touch.”

To learn how Bank of St. Francisville is helping business customers meet their financial goals on their terms, click HERE