Galion business owner takes on a new venture
GALION — Carrie Cottrell has been a business owner for more than a decade and she recently opened a second business.
Cottrell has been the owner of Cleaning by Carrie since 2010 and officially opened Carrie’s Venue on Aug. 1 at 129 Harding Way East. The location was home to The Venue by Cake & Icing until former owner Laura Johnson sold the business to Cottrell in July.
“Laura had done such an impeccable job with the place that all I needed to make were a few personalization tweaks, and it was ready to welcome guests,” said Cottrell. “I couldn't be more proud to continue Laura's dream, providing Uptowne with a clean, classy venue for any event.”
Cottrell said Carrie's Venue, which has a capacity of up to 50 people, can offer myriad benefits to the community, including the support of local businesses.
“By partnering with local businesses such as caterers, decorators and wedding officiants, Carrie's Venue can indirectly boost the local economy,” said Cottrell.
Musicians and artists can showcase their talents
She said the venue can also be a place for local artists, musicians and performers to showcase their talents during events.
“The large TV for presentations and partnerships with local businesses can make Carrie's Venue an ideal place for workshops, training sessions and seminars, further benefiting the community by facilitating knowledge sharing,” said Cottrell.
She said the venue is a multipurpose space due to its adaptability.
“Various community groups, from local businesses to nonprofits, can use the venue for meetings, fundraisers and other events, making it a hub for community interactions,” said Cottrell.
She said the venue offers a clean and safe environment for local events as well as job creation.
“The running and maintenance of the venue can provide employment opportunities for community members, whether it's in event management, hospitality or maintenance,” said Cottrell, who already employs 20 people at her cleaning business, and they help out at the venue also.
The venue is not only open for larger events but also for smaller events, such as birthday parties and wedding and baby showers.
Memories made, community bonds strengthened
“The venue is place where memories are made and community bonds are strengthened,” said Cottrell.
Cottrell said she offers competitive pricing and packages to make the venue, which is handicapped-accessible, an affordable option for residents to host quality events without traveling to far-off places or spending excessively. She is also focused on eco-friendly practices.
“If Carrie's Venue adopts sustainable practices, like waste reduction and energy conservation, it can set an example for other businesses in the community and promote an eco-conscious mindset among attendees,” said Cottrell.
Cottrell has been a member of the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce for several years with her cleaning business and has now added her venue business to the chamber’s list of members.
“We’re not only excited to have this wonderful event space available in our community; we’re also happy to see a chamber member grow and pursue new opportunities,” said the Chamber’s Executive Director Miranda Jones.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held by the chamber at Carrie’s Venue on Aug. 18.
For more information or to book the space, call 419-610-6718, visit the Carrie’s Venue Facebook page or email carriesvenue@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Carrie's Venue opens for business in Galion
