This months vendor of the month is The Car Barn! We are excited to bring you this vendor as we really love them! We had our first wedding there a couple weeks ago and we had an awesome time. All of the staff was friendly, helpful and on top of their game. This venue is fully themed and you can't help, but get a sense of nostalgia when you walk in. We absolutely recommend this venue for any event you may have from Weddings to reunions.
1. Name/Company Name:
Tara Plumlee, CEO of The Catering Companies, LLC (which is comprised of The Car Barn and 3 other catering cos I created)
2. How did you get started in your industry?
My father is in the food and beverage industry in Chattanooga and owns Rib and Loin Barbecue and so I started at the age of 13 working in my father's business - so I guess you can say its in my blood! I went on to school and pursued my own career - but when I ended up with a masters in Entrepreneurship, I always knew I would be my own boss and my first venture was a restaurant that led to a catering company, and after creating three successful catering companies, I was bored with that idea and really had the need for a venue to hold all of our client's events! I didnt want anything that was "the usual" and then when I walked into The Car Barn, I knew it was meant to be! :) I have a strong desire to continue to grow my business and anyone in my company's knows that I am never satisfied and I am always looking for the next best thing to do (with calculation of course) and this venue just made sense. It was a true extension of what we were already doing and we could cross train staff, use the same kitchen and equipment, and now we can have one more value added service to our clients...we can provide them a unique and great space for their event. Or if we are booked, we can still cater and handle their event at an alternative location where we are a preferred or exclusive caterer!
3. What do you feel sets you apart from the competition?
The Car Barn is like nothing else in Chattanooga. Its so fun and unique, it can't be replicated. When guests walk in, they are in amazement and nothing can replace that feeling when you walk into the space for the first time. It creates a great party without the client doing any work! We are an all inclusive venue that handles everything from start to finish. We handle the tables, chairs, set up, breakdown, linens, centerpieces, staff, bartenders, food and beverage, and clean up! So a client can literally walk in to plan for their wedding and walk out knowing they only have to get a dress, a cake, and some alcohol (if they desire) and they are done! That really takes a load off and allows guests and clients to actually enjoy the party!
4. What is your most requested service?
We have lots of requests for custom menus, etc and since we are owned by The Catering Companies, we are happy to accommodate guests and create a custom menu that reflects the bride and the groom, for example. The Car Barn is so versatile, we handle everything from corporate events to weddings, to holiday parties, etc. And speaking of holidays, that is HUGE request and we currently have 3 weekend dates left for 2011....its a great space that is decorated from start to finish on both floors and its so easy, the client looks so good after the party and gets all of the credit and didnt have to do a thing!! :) We also get requests for custom linens which we handle, as well as chocolate fountains, punch fountains, carving station, etc and we own all of those items, so our clients always get exactly what they want!
5. How much time in advance does a client need to contact you for your services?
We book on a first come first serve basis, so the sooner the better so you are sure to have the date you want! But if we have a last minute weekend opening, we can put together a great event in under 48 hours and are happy to help anytime we have availability!
6. What is your average price for an event and does it differentiate for weddings and other events?
Average Pricing per person including the venue, tables, chairs, linens, centerpieces, set up breakdown, staff, food, beverages, etc would range anywhere from 15-45 dollars a person depending upon the day of the week and how many guests and the menu selections. Menus and pricing are listed on our website and the venue rental info can be obtained by filling out our quote request form online. Weddings for 100 Guests are around 44.00 per person for everything. If you had 200 Guests, it would be around 30.00 per person including everything! Some catering jobs alone are that, so the idea that you can do the whole event including all equipment, staff, food, beverages and a great venue for those prices is a great deal for young couples. And for people looking for a fun rehearsal dinner, we can do a rehearsal for 50 guests starting around 30 per person all inclusive as well!
7. What do you look for in clients?
Happy Fun People!!!! We are not a boring venue! So we want fun parties filled with guests that will enjoy and get the full benefit of what The Car Barn has to offer! It doesnt matter if you dont know what you are doing in the planning department, we do! So we will take you by the hand and ask all of the right questions and at the end of the meeting, have a great event planned out! So other than an eager attitude to have a great and memorable event, we are open to all types of clients for any occasion!
8. What do you need to know from your clients to help you make the experience the best for them?
We need to know what their expectations are out of the event and what it is they want to convey to their guests. If this is a corporate party that needs to impress business clients, well then we know to pull out the bartenders, china, and top notch menu! If this is a casual wedding ceremony where the bride and groom are driving in (literally) for their grand entrance in their favorite convertible or motorcycle, then that says a different style and menu all together! It's important to us to know our clients and their desires as that is how we can make their dreams into a reality! So the more we know the better, but if they are unsure what to say, we know the right questions to ask to get the info we need!
9. How long have you been in business?
I have personally been catering events for 22 years believe it or not. People look at me and say no way...but they have to remember I started doing this when I was very young!!! I have literally catered 1000's and 1000's of events. The Car Barn has been handling public events for almost a year and a half now, but our other catering companies cater in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Knoxville and have been in business for over a decade and with that knowledge and experience, there is no one in Chattanooga that can touch it! We cater 100's of events every year and we know how to please our clients!
10. What is one event that you have hosted that sticks out in your mind the most?
So many fun events stick out in my mind, but the top ones that come to mind now are a great casino fundraising night, any wedding where the bride and groom drive in (the guests just gasp!), and the holiday events - its so nice to see so many people come together at The Car Barn over a period of a couple of weeks to share their blessings and well wishes for the New Year to come!
11. Please tell us anything else you would like for everyone to know. (i.e. tips, location, websites, facebooks, any press, twitter, blogs, etc.)
Our website address is www.TheCarBarnChattanooga.com
We are on Facebook - The Car Barn
Our address and location is 6721 Heritage Business Court, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Our phone number is 423-508-4481
We are a member of the Chamber of Commerce and host the Brainerd East Brainerd Chapter's monthly meetings at The Car Barn so the public can come check us out and have lunch every 4th Tuesday at noon!!
We had a wedding at The Car Barn a few weeks ago. Below are a few pictures from that event.
