Nestled in the heart of Downtown Harrisonburg, Friendly City Events has quickly become a beacon for local gatherings and celebrations since its inception just over seven months ago. Taron Bryant, the visionary behind this vibrant venue, sat down with HDR to share more about his journey from idea to execution and the thriving community space he’s created.
From Idea to Reality
Taron, a Harrisonburg local since 2013, said he’s always had a passion for the hospitality business and has spent the past decade at Massanutten Water Park, with six years as Guest Services Manager.
“I love what I do, but I wanted to branch off and do my own thing,” Taron said. “So I was going to be a party planner. At least, that was the plan. Then I realized, we have enough party planners down here and wedding coordinators, we just don’t have venues.”
Taron said he immediately began researching local venues.
“I noticed there’s not a lot [of venues] in this area, unless you’re renting out a barn or a restaurant,” Taron explained. “So I was like, okay, this could work. This is what I’m going to do.”
Friendly City Events: A Seven-Month Journey
Friendly City Events occupies a prime spot in Downtown Harrisonburg, just 30 steps from Water Street Parking Deck. Taron said he initially hadn’t considered downtown due to parking concerns, but the opportunity presented itself when the former Village Juice & Kitchen space suddenly became available.
Taron said he had a checklist: parking, an open layout and enough space to accommodate 75 to 100 people. The space at 126 W Bruce St had it all.
“I walked in, and ideas just started flowing,” Taron recalled. “It felt like a sign I couldn’t ignore.”
The building provided a versatile canvas for various events, from intimate gatherings to corporate meetings and everything in between.
Since opening its doors in December 2023, Friendly City Events has hosted a spectrum of events, ranging from open mic nights and business meetings to baby showers and even a wedding reception.
“We’ve had such a diverse range of events,” Taron shared, “from local business seminars to personal celebrations like birthdays. Each event brings its own unique energy into the space.”
One standout moment for Taron was seeing a recent wedding reception transform the venue with personalized decorations and a lively guest list.
“It’s incredible to witness people’s visions come to life here,” he remarked. “That’s what makes it all worthwhile and it’s exactly what I wanted for this space.”
Looking Ahead
While you may expect a team behind Friendly City Events, Taron runs the venue solo, often with the help of his mother, Debbie Bryant.
Taron said his mother helps in every way she can. She even taught herself how to make balloon arches on YouTube, and Taron joked that she hasn’t stopped since she learned.
“She does so much to help, and she really loves doing it,” Taron said. “She keeps me going most days. I swear, I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
Running an events venue isn’t without its challenges, Taron explained, especially while maintaining a full time job at Massanutten Water Park.
“Two jobs can be… a little much,” Taron laughed. “My big goal is to branch off from and do this full time. And I’d like to host events Monday through Thursday, doing stuff here during the week, like paint nights and trivia nights and things like that.”
Right now, if a client books the space, Taron hands them the keys and doesn’t return until the end of the event. But in the future, he said he’d like to add his own event planning services to help clients execute the perfect event. He said there’s even a potential for “packages,” in which decor and set-up are handled by Taron and all the party has to do is show up.
He said he’d also love to tap into the hospitality and management talent pool at James Madison University.
Community Support
“There’s so many resources available in Downtown Harrisonburg,” Taron explained, naming The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center, HDR, the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund, Valley Media Group,12 Moon Renovations LLC and mentors he met during a ten-week program that equips aspiring entrepreneurs (CO.STARTERS) as assets. “Anything I need, I have resources that I never expected would be available here.”
Taron added that businesses in Downtown Harrisonburg “help one another tremendously,” and that they’ve given him a warm welcome to downtown.
And community feedback has been nothing but positive, Taron said.
“We’re definitely starting to get booked up for the rest of the year, so anyone who’s thinking of doing holiday parties or Friendsgiving, or things like that for October, November, December – they should really book fast because I’m already booked up through September.”
If you’re in Harrisonburg or planning an event in the area, Friendly City Events offers a unique space where your vision can come to life. Whether it’s a wedding reception, a corporate retreat, or a birthday bash, Taron is ready to make your event memorable.
To learn more about Friendly City Events and inquire about booking, visit their website or connect with them on social media. Don’t wait too long though – this venue books up fast!
