Samantha Calimbahin
The Supreme Golf Warehouse building at 201 S. Calhoun St.
Like many young girls, Angel Mikeska spent her youth dreaming about her perfect wedding.
Not only did she eventually get her own wedding, but she has built a career helping other women realize their dreams. After working for several years as an event planner, she has begun a new business — The Social Space — to provide a venue for weddings in the Near Southside.
“I realized this would be an opportunity to help people make their dreams come true and put together the vision for what is potentially the biggest day of their lives,” Mikeska says.
The Social Space has taken up residence in the over-100-year-old Supreme Golf Warehouse building at 201 S. Calhoun St. The venue will eventually host events both in its 14,000-square-foot indoor space and its 7,500-square-foot outdoor space, which includes a large stage and full terrace.
“We certainly are the biggest event venue in the Near Southside. So, knowing that there was a need for large capacity, and seeing this beautiful, raw, industrial, 100-year-old historic building, right in the heart of the Near Southside, just felt like the perfect fit,” Mikeska says. Thanks to the building’s size, The Social Space looks forward to hosting everything from corporate Christmas parties to seated dinners for over 500 guests.
Mikeska’s goal for The Social Space includes honoring both the building itself and the community around it. She won’t be making any huge changes but rather adding updates to make it a more functional and efficient venue. “We're building in a kitchen, we're putting up new fencing, adding new paint, and just loving on the space a little bit without taking away from the charm that it has, because of its history in the neighborhood,” Mikeska says.
Her plans for The Social Space also incorporate the wisdom of community members. “We've had many coffees where we've sat down and put the plans on the table and looked to these other people in my business, and said, ‘Here's my plan; let's help me poke holes in it,’” she says. These coffees have led to ideas for larger doorways and different lighting setups to better accommodate photographers.
Mikeska has also made it a priority to partner with area businesses who can support The Social Space. “If there's any opportunity that we have in coming into the neighborhood to help out our friends here, and bring them the opportunity to do more business through our events, then we're happy to do it,” she says.
The Social Space is currently undergoing construction, but the outdoor area will be ready to host events within the next six weeks — bookings begin Sept. 1. The indoor area has an expected opening date of Dec. 1.
Learn more at socialspacefw.com.
