The Solar Arts Building was built in 1914 as a tire factory. During World War II, it manufactured life preservers for troops overseas. This year, after a renovation, the building’s third floor was reimagined as an event space (the first floor is Indeed Brewery, and the second is artist studios), and Chowgirls Killer Catering signed on to manage all the details. The massive iron boiler doors hint at the building’s history, while giant windows, glowing wood floors and exposed brick feel warm and inviting.
Jenny Blonk, manager of sales and events for Chowgirls, says their calendar is filling quickly. “There hasn’t been a comparable venue in Northeast, so it’s fun to see people come upstairs and be wowed by the space.”
The venue can accommodate as many as 450 guests for a wedding (350 for a seated dinner), and serves as a great blank canvas for creative couples. “I do think it’s a unique and special feature of not just the event space, but the building itself, that it has always been a place where meaningful things were created,” says Blonk. “Now we see a more modern interpretation of that rich history, and instead of tires and life preservers, the building is helping to create incredible art, beer and events.”