鈥極ur rustic setting鈥�
Couple convert Scenery Hill barn into events site
Georgette and Edward Chmura had plans to repurpose the barn on the non-working farm they own and operate in the Scenery Hill section of Somerset Township.
鈥淭his has been a four-year venture in the making,鈥� she said of the couple鈥檚 endeavor to convert the structure into a multipurpose 鈥渆vent barn.鈥�
鈥淲e can use it for wedding receptions, retirement parties and other events,鈥� Georgette said.
It took a while, though, as a township ordinance initially did not allow such usage. Then about a year ago, a new ordinance was approved after an application and review process, allowing property owners to establish event barns 鈥� with restrictions 鈥� in this largely rural area. The Chmuras cleared the final hurdle of their objective a couple of weeks ago.
All along, buoyed by hope, they have been restoring the barn and its floors, and are preparing it for public display next weekend. They will have a grand opening for Gregory鈥檚 Place Rustic Barn and Venue Setting from 3 to 9 p.m. July 26.
The rechristened facility is named for their son, and is accompanied by the slogan, 鈥淵our Love Story, Our Rustic Setting.鈥�
The Chmuras have lined up vendors, a disc jockey and bakery and salon personnel to enhance festivities at the opening of their remodeled barn, located at 281 Buckingham Road, Scenery Hill.
鈥淲e started restoring floors and the barn, thinking we can do this, then found out we couldn鈥檛,鈥� Georgette said. 鈥淏ut we kept restoring things and jumping through hoops鈥� until the 2024 ordinance passed.
The process, she said, included getting an occupancy permit, setting up space for handicapped parking and other regulations.
鈥淣ow we can use our property as we wish,鈥� Georgette said. 鈥淲e finally got to the point that we can invite the public. We鈥檝e also invited township supervisors and officials from surrounding areas.鈥�
She said the couple are limited to 24 events per year and cannot use the facility for events on Sundays.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about it,鈥� Georgette said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l pay a business tax on everything we take in. We want to take 5% gross for Habitat for Humanity and St. Jude鈥檚 Hospital. We also want to help local DJs and are trying to do stuff for local businesses.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not in it to get rich.鈥�
The farm has been in Georgette鈥檚 family for more than 100 years and encompasses 57 acres. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really pretty here,鈥� she said. A neighboring farmer uses part of the upper end of the Chmuras鈥� property to raise corn and hay for cattle.
Event barns in recent years have been rising in popularity in many locations. The Chmuras are on the verge of launching theirs.