Business Brings Elegant Touch to Community

To explore a bit about this upscale endeavor, call 989-539-8887, email to events@mottsupnorthvenue.com, or visit https://mottsupnorthvenue.com to see some site photos and more information.

Mott’s Up North Wedding and Event Venue

452 N. Clare Ave
Harrison, mi 48625

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Staff Writer

HARRISON – What happens when a couple decides they want to start a new business to bring in some extra income? And what if that couple is comprised of one person who is profitability and feasibility-minded and the other is a romantic-at-heart who wants to bring something truly special to the community?

Well, in the case of Dennis and Lori Mott, that combined goal was met by creating Mott’s Up North Wedding and Event Venue. Their building at 453 N. Clare Ave., which formerly housed the Community Baptist Church, has undergone a great deal of renovation to convert it into the celebration venue it has become.

Lori Mott recently gave the Cleaver a tour of the building, detailing and elaborating on the changes to the structure, as well as the couple’s motivations/intentions for the endeavor.

After the removal of pews, Mott’s son, JJ Martin, took on the huge task of replacing the existing carpeting with new woodgrain hard surface flooring. This choice, Mott said, was based on ease of maintenance, something particularly important with anticipated food/beverage service spillage. Some of those pews, however, were retained and placed along the walls in the main room.

“Any time there is a full-room event, people walk in and they sit in those pews first,” she said. “This was truly a family affair, the whole thing. My son and daughter-in-law did so much of the work, and my daughter-in-law has an amazing talent, just amazing.”

She expressed her gratitude for all the community support the project has received, and noted that even her young grandsons Hendrix, Hatcher and Holt helped by pulling up flooring.

That main room, dubbed The Embers Room, provides a spacious area for tables/seating. The stone portion of the stage (former altar area) was renovated from a baptism space into a mantled fireplace, using stone shipped from Las Vegas, Nevada. Dennis Mott’s recently retired friend Dave Sherrick did the mantle and masonry work.

A second tables/seating area provides capacity for event overflow, wedding reception or even hosting two events simultaneously. That also has its own bar space – the Up North Saloon. Mott proudly noted that area was designed by Dennis, and that the thick hand-hewn bar top is the same as the fireplace mantle in The Embers Room. Dave Sherrick also did the work building the Saloon.

Adjacent to that room is a children’s play area, to help keep fidgety kids occupied.

Mott’s daughter-in-law, Emily Martin, has provided a great deal of assistance as well, having designed and decorated for the entire project, along with creating paintings and other wall art. Mott said Emily also was extraordinarily resourceful in procuring materials and furnishings, both refurbished and antique. Some of those antiques include the pump organ in the front entryway, a grandfather’s clock, and a functioning antique radio.

She also designed and executed the Bridesmaids Room and the Bridal Suite. The first was previously the church’s cry room, and now features some high, swivel chairs at the mirrors, and a wood and brocade divan.

The Bridal Suite is a bit more private, and includes a coffeemaker (along with some champagne flutes) and a “Cheers to Us” wall hanging, a heavy antique wood vanity with mirror, and a cozy brocade and wood chair, along with an oversize ottoman, and again a comfy, elegant matching divan.

The groom/groomsmen’s pre-wedding area, dubbed The Speakeasy Lounge, is decorated in the style of a speakeasy and outfitted with leisurely seating, as well as a bar for toasting the groom’s future happiness. And it, too, features a handmade bar top which was created by the daughter-in-law’s father. This room, converted from a storage room, is richly decorated with topical art, and its unquestionable masculine vibe is accentuated by an overstuffed leather chair and cowhide floor covering.

The township’s ordinance does not allow for onsite food preparation, thus there is no range in the building’s kitchen. However, the kitchen does serve as a staging area for service of catered meals. There is also a hope to use the property’s deck for outdoor functions.

The building boasts baby changing stations in both the men’s and ladies’ restrooms, plus another one inside one of the larger stalls for a bit of added privacy.

Mott said the pursuit of converting the church started with her husband, Dennis, who she said hates to see empty buildings.

“He drove by here every day for about two years, thinking ‘What can we do with that?’” she said. “He finally brought it up to me; it was his idea.” That led to an understanding of what it would take to run such a business, and the self-education about rules and procedures for this type of business began. That understanding includes such prohibitions as renters pounding nails, using tape, hanging heavy ornamentations, or using glitter.

“I took samples of their [other venues’] contracts,” she said. “There are a lot of rules, and rules stink, but they’re there for a reason.”

Then, when the two started getting serious about their idea, they began driving over to the building about one to three times a week after dinner – for about six months – and just sitting in the parking lot. That led to all the normal “what if” discussions of price, possible pitfalls and potential successes. Ultimately, they chose to dive in and haven’t looked back.

Mott spoke of her own humble beginnings, and the limitations income placed on special occasions during her growing-up years. That was a big part of her driving force: providing an elegant, yet affordable, venue for life’s special occasions/celebrations, such as weddings, graduations, reunions, company parties – even celebrations of life.

“So that the average or even below average incomed person can afford to have a beautiful wedding in a beautiful place,” Mott said. “Because not everyone can afford $10,000 a day.”

The business offers an hourly rate of $90 (three hour minimum) and a wedding package rate of $3,000-$4,000 which varies by season. At first glance that may seem a bit costly, but that comes into stark contrast when comparing to other facilities in the county which can cost upwards of $10,000 for one day. The Motts also are considering a Valentine’s Day event, and also tossing around the idea of co-sponsoring with other vendors to give away a wedding event sometime in the future.

To ensure their business delivers a quality outcome for its customers, Mott said their plan is to develop a list of approved sub-contractor vendors from which renters can select: wedding planners, linens, caterers, decorators, etc. This, she said, will provide quality control while assuring her customers realize the no-surprises, memorable event they seek.

© Clare County Cleaver