For Immediate Release: April 16
th, 2018
Success is in the Wind at BIA National Conference
It's highly unlikely that Alexander Stewart realized he was laying the groundwork for an insightful enterprise that would reinforce the growth of a community. After all, it was 1862 and he was building a traditional, timber-frame barn on his property just north of Brussels, Ontario.
Leap forward 156 years, and thanks to the innovative passion of developer, Bryan Morton, a local businessman, Stewart's beautiful heritage structure has become a vital keystone in the renewal of this historic downtown.
The significant impact that the
Brussels Four Winds Wedding & Event Barn has made upon the community since its opening is remarkable. And as a result, the initiative has been recognized with the prestigious Bricks and Mortar Award at the 2018 National Business Improvement Area Conference held in Collingwood this week.
Introducing a typically rural structure to the core of a village takes some visionary skills. I have a great fondness for timber-frame barns, says Morton. When I was farming, I was too busy to participate in the community, but now it is time to give back.
Morton began conceiving his idea in 2014 to craft a rustic, yet elegant venue available to the public for hosting celebrations and gatherings. The structure was donated by Herman Terpstra and piece-by-piece, the old barn was disassembled, transported and rebuilt on new foundations adjacent to the restored and expanded Brussels Carnegie Library.
And as of April 2018, over 60 weddings and events have been booked with more anticipated; inquiries are already being entertained into 2021.
The barn will also become home to Fresh Petals, a new flower shop, which will reside in the stone house portion and the local Farmers Market will be housed in the lower level of the building, allowing its season to extend from 5 months to year-round. Barbara Terpstra and Kathy Stephenson, members of Morton's
"Dream-Team" will preside over both.
This win is the sixth OBIAA award for the
Municipality of Huron East, and Economic Development Officer Jan Hawley acknowledges that it takes a team to make this kind of change.
All levels of community need to get behind the project, which was evident in Brussels, says Hawley. After years of building a foundation for the revitalization of the village core, this investment is providing the catalyst for growth and property improvement for our quaint, historic community......and the rest is history, so to speak.
Congratulations to the Morton Family and their dedicated and passionate team.
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For more information contact: Jan Hawley, Economic Development Officer Municipality of Huron East 519.527.0160 x5