In a building dripping with history, the innovators behind Garment Factory Events have created a space respecting the past yet emphasizing the fresh and bold.
Sandblasted original timber beams from the longtime Varynit Mills factory are accented by modern light fixtures. Sleek furnishings and modern decorations sit side-by-side with framed mementos of the former factory and its employees.
A two-story mural based off an original black-and-white photograph of the factory welcomes everyone who walks through the doors.
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“We wanted it to be a tribute to the ‘20s and ‘30s, of a very large employer in the city that contributed to the community then. People like to look back and see a reflection of that,” said Billy Bemis, partner in the Bemis Group, which owns of the space. “We tried to do that with some unexpected things on the inside, a little bit of glitz that will surprise a few people.”
Garment Factory Events is the latest addition to downtown Franklin, a multipurpose facility designed to host everything from intimate parties to large weddings. The unique event space features spacious ballrooms with stunning views of Province Park and the downtown courthouse, a chic lounge that will be open to the public at times during the week and an in-house catering service run by noted Franklin chef Richard Goss.
Construction has been ongoing at the site for nearly two years. A public open house is planned for 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, to let people tour the building and celebrate its opening.
With the project ready to be unveiled to the public, officials are excited what this can bring to the city.
“I think it’s another piece to the puzzle that Franklin is putting together,” Billy Bemis said. “This is something that Franklin, probably the county and maybe even regionally doesn’t really offer. It’s a place that can draw and attract guests to the community who otherwise wouldn’t know much about Franklin or have a reason to be here.”
Garment Factory Events is a partnership between brothers Billy and Todd Bemis of local developers the Bemis Group, and Kwang Casey, who will operate and manage it.
They announced in March 2016 plans to turn the historic former factory building into an events venue. The city of Franklin agreed to invest $1.4 million into the project.
The site has played an important role in Franklin history. The building was constructed in 1925 by the McLoughlin Manufacturing Company, who was later bought out by New York-based Varynit Mills in 1941.
A government contract from the U.S. Army during World War II kick-started the factory’s success. Of the 10 million garments supplied to the armed forces in 1943, 6 million of them were made in Franklin.
Varynit Mills continued operating even after the war was over, until in 1970 when the company was sold and production was moved to Tennessee. Since that time, warehousing, furniture and other garment businesses had filled the space. At one time, it was home to Kay-Jee Sporting Goods and was where the uniforms used in the movie “Hoosiers” were produced.
All of the history plays a vital role in the design of the building, said Ashleigh Fisher, marketing and events coordinator.
“This building has belonged to Franklin for so long. People are so invested in it,” she said. “It employed 200 women at one point, and everybody lived here. Everybody has a story about it. To be able to still have it available to the public is important.”
Original exposed brick and timber is visible in walls and support beams. Donated historic items, including newspaper clippings and photographs, are framed in the central hallway allowing guests to relive the past.
The most stunning feature along those lines is the wall-sized mural in the main stairway as people walk in the doors. The artwork was created from an old black-and-white photograph showing workers at the former factory.
“We wanted to pay respect to the fact that it was a factory, and it was downtown. We wanted it to continue to look like a factory and took great effort in that,” Todd Bemis said.
But designers have balanced the historic with the modern, exemplified in the lounge, where a chandelier over the bar features colorful LED light filtered through 400 hand-blown hanging glass sculptures.
The facility is a full-service event venue, suitable for weddings, corporate and nonprofit events and class reunions, among other things. The first-floor Province Room ballroom seats 250 people, while the lounge can equip 100. An outdoor patio offers additional space.
The grand ballroom on the second floor with windows offering a panoramic view of Franklin, can handle around 400 people. Individual rooms are available to rent, or the entire building can be reserved, Fisher said.
Everything from linens to tables and chairs to a full bar are provided, as is the food. Officials have recruited Goss as the executive chef to craft individualized menus tailored to each individual guest.
“Everything will kind of have my slant to it,” he said. “The menus will be different for every party. I’ll get to make it up and make it fresh for every event, which is very exciting. We want them to make it their own.”
But while the main focus is on private events, organizers also want to share the space with the public. The lounge will be open on Tuesday and Thursday nights, serving drinks for purchase and small-plate food.
Other public events are planned in the coming months, as well.
“We tried to set it up where you don’t have to be invited to an event to be here. You can come to open lounge nights,” Todd Bemis said. “And we have a Mother’s Day brunch, a Father’s Day brunch, some specialty dinners that are coming in the summer and fall, events where we want to be creative and have some of our own events that the public could come to.”
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Garment Factory Events
What: A full-service 30,000-square-foot space for weddings, corporate parties and other events, housed in the historic former garment building in downtown Franklin.
Where: 101 E. Wayne St., Franklin
Owners: Todd and Billy Bemis of Bemis Group contractors
Operator: Kwang Casey, owner of Oaken Barrel Brewing Co.
Features:
- A grand ballroom featuring 180-degree views of downtown Franklin, capable of seating about 400 people comfortably.
- A downstairs ballroom overlooking Young’s Creek and Province Park that seats 250 people.
- A full bar and lounge, which will be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- In-house catering and food service overseen by executive chef Richard Goss
After Hours at the Lounge: The lounge inside Garment Factory Events will be open to the public from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting May 1.
Information: 317-868-8227 or go to garmentfactoryevents.com
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Garment Factory Events
Public open house
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
What: People will be able to tour the new Garment Factory Events, learning about the historic nature of the building and witnessing event demonstrations by three area event designers.
Other upcoming events
Tuesday: Inaugural After Hours at the Lounge, 4 to 8 p.m., the lounge inside Garment Factory Events will be open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday starting today. Drinks and small-plates food available to purchase.
May 13: Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 5 to 12. Reservations required by calling 317-868-8227 or emailing [email protected]
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