SOUTH SHORE — The Quarry, a new event venue, opened on Tuesday, providing an option for wedding receptions, private parties and other events in the neighborhood.
“We knew after living in South Shore for a long time, the neighborhood needed a place to have social and cultural events,” said Suzanne Armstrong, co-owner of the venue with her husband, Ernest.
She said she spent more than four years looking for a spot before deciding on a former storefront church at 2423 E. 75th St.
“We had a hard time finding space, despite all the vacant property,” Armstrong said.
She said she looked up and down 75th and 79th streets from Jeffery to Lake Shore Drive searching for a spot that was large enough for events and also was far enough from a church or school that there were no restrictions on public place of amusement and liquor licenses.
“Every other building is a church,” Armstrong said.
On Tuesday night, Armstrong opened the Quarry to the community, and the venue is already booked for wedding receptions, a private jazz concert and children’s theater group Neke's Theatre.
“An establishment of this nature is something that is desperately needed and wanted in the community,” said Ald. Natashia Holmes (7th). “It will not only function as a full service sit-down restaurant, but also as a banquet hall, allowing the space to be most accessible to individuals and groups of South Shore and surrounding areas looking to host a reception, party or other social events.”
The Quarry has a large shared kitchen that can be rented out by caterers and chefs. A portion of the building is already built out for a restaurant, the Geode.
“All we need is the furniture,” Armstrong said.
The walls are adorned with art from Gallery Guichard, which will provide a rotating exhibit of art, making the venue a satellite gallery.
Despite a positive reception from the community, Armstrong still admitted some nervousness.
“I’m very nervous about the details, but I keep thinking about all the people who want this to be successful,” Armstrong said.
She and her husband have devoted more than four years of work — and also a considerable amount of their nest egg — to opening the building.
“No banks were behind us on this, we had to put our retirement accounts behind this,” Armstrong said.
She said the South Side Federal Credit Union and micro-finance lender Accion are supporting the project.
Holmes said she is also behind the Quarry and that she expects it to be the anchor of a vibrant retail corridor along 75th Street.
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