Retail’s Event Detail BACK

Find event space at Bentley Toronto's showroom.

Shopping around for unique event space? Think about stores you've been in and thought, “Wow! What a great place for an event!”

No stranger to hosting events (hello in-store promotions and trunk shows!), the retail scene already garners boldface ink as venues of choice for Toronto Film Festival post-parties and numerous charity events.

Event hosting isn't a retailer's main core business, though. In approaching retailers, proposals need to include finite detail including adequate insurance for potential damaged goods, additional security (and their staffing time), a plan for working around store fixtures and goods, and an after-business hours start time (unless your budget's close-down-store huge!)

BMW Toronto's auto dealership has skyline views.

So, perhaps hosting in a retail venue is a tad more complicated than booking traditional event space! However, consider the added-value of private shopping parties, theme and brand synergies, impressive swag bag goodies, sponsorship opportunities and, of course, a venue, where, quite often, you can capitalize on the décor rather than starting from scratch.

Check out the following retail options for ideal red carpet and VIP space:

Wheel Fabulous
Auto dealerships...if you can drive a pick-up truck through, then imagine the space planners have to work with! Host a welcoming reception in the curvaceous lobby of BMW Toronto, at the foot of the Don Valley Parkway and Eastern Avenue. Ride the glass elevator to the fifth floor showroom for a main event where floor to ceiling windows give awesome skyline views (300 capacity). Say vvroom, vvroom to black tie and motorcycles with an event in the bike showroom on three. Freight elevators make move in and set up a cinch.

Holts Café is one of the retail hosts of CANFAR's Bloor Street Entertains fundraiser.

On Dupont Street, Bentley Toronto's showplace is a 5,000 sq. ft. stunner, inside and out. Glass paned arched windows are central features of the circa 1910 building, bringing light and elegance to the interior's two-storey open concept. The upstairs lounge and 10-seat boardroom table, along with tenting capabilities in the wrought iron-lined outdoor courtyard give plenty of options.

Bloor Street Riches
Potential is great along Toronto's high-fashion street (and neighbouring Yorkville) where top designer names reside in swellegant palaces. Find event panache at Holt Renfrew, with its lower-level café catering to receptions of 160 people. Or dazzle at Swarovski Canada, where crystal-lined displays are the backdrop for events up to 100. Just a couple of the many fine clothing purveyors with great spaces: Club Monaco's white-walled beauty and lower level with Romanesque columns and soaring atrium; and Roots' spacious two-storey glass and wood emporium.

The Acton Leather Company's store in trendy King West Village.

Furnished Chic
Gorgeous living space and chic home accoutrements make the scene in furniture stores. A recently completed reno leaves 40,000 sq. ft. in its wake at Upcountry on King Street where multiple hosting areas include a nifty sunken space mid-store, a front window fireplace nook and the lower level Art 101 gallery. Opening soon: A 3,250 sq. ft. dedicated events venue upstairs with prep kitchen, separate entrance and rooftop terrace.

The Acton Leather Company (aka The Olde Hide House) has a beauty of a space: a 15,000 sq. ft. brick-and-beam warehouse in trendy King West Village with gorgeous rustic wood interior. In summer, the leather furniture galleries double in size, displaying classic to contemporary designs. In fall, leather fashions move into the main level space with the furniture focus on the lower level.

Located in the Riverdale Studio District on Carlaw Street, Green Tea Design rents out its 5,000 sq. ft. showroom loft. The airy, whitewashed open plan sections off nicely for different uses and is punctuated by loads of windows and Green Tea's stunning collection of Asian and Japanese furniture and antiques. Designers of kitchens, too (they did the kitchen on The Apprentice last season!), caterers will appreciate the sleekness of their on-site working area.

Stylish does it for the working kitchen for events at Green Tea Design.

Mall Magnificent
Tap into the sprawling 1.2 million sq. ft. of the Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre (ample parking here!). The mall's one-level circular racetrack layout divides into six beautifully designed (the props are great!) neighbourhood themes that recreate areas of Ontario such as the lakefront or a small town. Weave in the entertainment and hospitality services of on-site tenants such as Lucky Strike Lanes, NASCAR SpeedPark and the many restaurants.

Events have room to soar in BEC Place.

Give your event a window on the city through the soaring, six-storey glass atrium of the Allen Lambert Galleria in BCE Place, which has to be the city's most elegant pedestrian walkway! Take advantage of trussing height capabilities with overhead décor and cirque-style entertainment. Heritage Square, with its water fountain accent and Hockey Hall of Fame and Acqua Restaurant neighbours, is also available for receptions up to 500 people.

Fabulous interiors of Vaughn Mills Shopping Centre.

Upscale do's can capitalize on the tony Avenue Road address and ritzy surrounds of Hazelton Lanes. Skylight roofing caps 22-ft ceilings above the main event space in The Rotunda (where skaters once glided in winter). With room to hold up to 2,000 guests, planners can also take advantage of the adjacent restaurant space, furniture, staging and sound system.

 

www.bmwtoronto.ca • www.grandtouringautos.com www.holtrenfrew.com • www.swarosvki.com www.clubmonaco.com • www.roots.com www.upcountry.com • www.theoldehidehouse.com www.greenteadesign.com • www.vaughanmills.com www.bceplace.com • www.hazeltonlanes.com