Charlotte recently saw the opening of a new Black-owned event venue.
SPACES by Premier, located at 3010 Monroe Road, Suite 203, is an all-in-one location for private event rentals. SPACES is an acronym for Social and Professional Areas for Creative Events and Services, which is how owner Martez Prince describes his goal for the venue.
He told QCity Metro that he was having difficulty finding reasonable space to hold local events such as social gatherings and fundraisers for a nonprofit he started. That need drove him to open his own venue, and SPACES by Premier was born.
From idea to venture.
“I want to be able to inspire and work with other businesses, small businesses, and things like that,” Prince said of the new location. “That was the driving force behind opening the space.”
Prince, 38, a local chemist and entrepreneur, is well connected to the community. He runs Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Centre and launched the non-profit Premier Foundation of North Carolina. Prince also revealed that he is a member of Sankofa Partners, an investment firm dedicated to revitalising Charlotte’s west side.
He said he’s experienced firsthand how tough it can be to transform a concept into a successful business and thinks that SPACES by Premier may help individuals with that.
“I really want to see people take that space and sort of test the market.”
According to Prince, having access to space to test ideas is vital for building a firm, which SPACES will welcome. He stated that the venue is “not just for events” but also a versatile, creative space.
He told QCity Metro that he is looking forward to people staging pop-ups, fashion exhibits, community meetings, and other events at SPACES.
The SPACES Experience
Inside the 3,000-square-foot space, guests can expect a “neutral base” that can be tailored to their preferences.
He said the “blank canvas” is something that can work for a wedding, corporate event and private event alike.
The foyer, he said, can act as a holding space for guests. It can also serve as a photo opportunity, pre-event cocktail room or networking bay before entering the main space.
The main room has exposed beams, high ceilings, and a “prop door,” or garage door. The door allows for the space to accommodate indoor-outdoor event needs as well as drive-in needs, like a vehicle, for an indoor photoshoot.
SPACES by Premier has a host, or dressing suite, a prep kitchen, and includes various types of tables and chairs.
“It’s multi-purpose, multifunctional. It was really designed to become anything that you can imagine,” Prince said.
With a capacity of 150 people, or 100 for a seated dinner, he mentioned the possibilities of live music events as well as live show or podcast setups.
The facility also has two projectors and a “plug-and-play” sound system.
“We really tried to make sure that the base of the space is perfect for any scenario.”
The venue’s rates are $150 per hour, with a three-hour minimum, Prince explained. Weekend pricing have the same minimum of $300 per hour. A day-long rental over the weekend costs $2400. Tables and chairs are provided with every rental.
People using the area can also book extra services, such pipe and drape, event decor, and more.
