Event center is an economic engine for Hayesville

By Laura Kleiss Hoeft

Guest Writer

The Historic Clay County Courthouse/Beal Center was the event venue for my daughter’s wedding on Saturday, April 15 and a lovely event it was.

Before the pictures go in the album, I can’t help but reflect on the economic engine that this event center, our historical courthouse, is to our community. Fifty guests attended and all but four were from out of state bringing in new money to the economy. Homes and rooms were rented by guest and all of them dined, shopped and explored the area.

The wedding required small business support and it was given with care and kindness. JoJo’s Cookie Boutique provided the cake; Tigers provided the wedding suits; Nocturnal the reception food; Laughing Waters, the coffee and breakfast bites; Epic Catering and Eatery the rehearsal lunch and charcuterie boards for the reception. Lazy Llama provided jewelry repair; Jodi Sullivan, from Edward Jones, who is an ordained minister, led the service; the Clay County Register of Deeds took care of the marriage license; musician Ron Harrell took care of the music and sound; servers were hired, thank you Tanya and Diane; photographer, Stephanie Barrett with Satin and Sage brought charisma to the event and Dawn Holladay, Director of the Historic Clay County Courthouse/Beal Center and volunteers brought it all together with class and hard work.

In addition to the direct wedding business, there were runs to the hardware store, grocery store and gas station. Grove Farm market and Hayesville Q were discovered. Barn Quilt Squares were ordered for thank you gifts from Historical Hayesville, Inc. As the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce who had a front row seat at this event, I cannot help but think back to the leaders, the contributors and the workers that saw the vision of what this facility could become; an economic engine for the community. As the mother of the bride, I cannot help but feel gratitude to the people behind the businesses that made this a special day for my family who chose to make the Historic Clay County Courthouse/Beal Center in downtown Hayesville the place where new beginnings can happen.

Laura Kleiss Hoeft is executive director of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Center.