From Dream to Reality: The Unbelievably True Story of Sweet Magnolia Cove - Part 1

This story is so rich with unexpected twists and delightful surprises that we’ve split it into two parts to share the full journey with you. In Part 1, we delve into the dream and the creation of Sweet Magnolia Cove. In Part 2, we explore the surprising signs that confirmed we were on the right path and share the excitement of finally bringing this dream to life!

Part 1: The Dream Behind Sweet Magnolia Cove

For as long as she can remember, Angelyne, our Managing Director and head dreamer-in-chief, has had a knack for bringing people together—usually with a healthy dose of good food, a great playlist, and a splash of British and now Southern charm. 

She always envisioned owning a beautiful event space that felt like home but classier, with less of the chaos and more of the “I need to have my event here” vibe. And thus, the vision of Magnolia Cove was born. Now, let's get one thing straight: Magnolia Cove wasn’t inspired by the famous flower. Nope. It was actually inspired by her parents' obsession with painting their entire house in the color "Magnolia" instead of boring old white.

The ‘$10k Question’ and a Decade Later…

Back in the day, when Angelyne casually shared her dream of Magnolia Cove with her now ex-husband, he asked, “If I gave you $10k right now, would you be ready?” with that annoying look on his face that said he thought he was so clever. Angelyne simply stared at him, knowing her dream and Pinterest boards were fully loaded, but her bank account? Not so much—it needed a few extra zeros. Sure, he had a point, she wasn’t ready. So she put the idea back in the box!

Fast forward 10 years, and the universe finally caught up with her dream. It was early 2024, and Angelyne knew the time had come.  She had made more contacts, and was becoming increasingly known for themed events at her house. She dialed up her friend Julie, also known in the local food circles as "Sweet Julie Mango." Julie's catering business, Sweet Julie Mango Café, was legendary, and together, they’d pulled off many memorable home events over the years. So, why not do it for real? They decided to mix a bit of Julie’s “Sweet” with Angelyne’s “Magnolia Cove” to create ... drumroll, please ... Sweet Magnolia Cove!

Now, before anyone panics, let’s just clarify, we will not be painting Sweet Magnolia Cove in her parents' favorite off-white hue! But don't worry, there will be plenty of Magnolia blooms around to make up for it.

To round out their dream team, they brought in Paulette, the numbers genius and Finance Director, to keep the business accounts, the business accountable and keep things flowing (mainly the money) as she has a logical mind, and Fay, a long-time friend who’s as strategically sharp as she is technically savvy. With the team set, it was time to find a home for Sweet Magnolia Cove.

The Great Georgia Venue Hunt

Now, let’s just say finding the perfect spot was not a walk in the park. Angelyne and her crew searched high and low across metro Atlanta—Snellville, Riverdale, Duluth, Lithonia, Fairburn, Winston, Douglasville—everywhere except the moon. Proposals were submitted, hopes were high, and rejections were frequent. But Angelyne kept her faith strong and her dream stronger.

Then, on June 4th, 2024, the plot thickened. A property manager who had previously said, “Thanks, but no thanks,” had a change of heart and suggested a better location. They rushed over to check it out, and BAM—love at first sight! Sweet Magnolia Cove had finally found its home.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into the unexpected twists that confirmed this was meant to be!