A new, Black-owned event venue recently opened in Charlotte.
SPACES by Premier is located at 3010 Monroe Road, Suite 203, and is an all-in-one space that allows private event rental. SPACES is an acronym for Social and Professional Areas for Creative Events and Services that owner Martez Prince said describes his vision for the venue.
He told QCity Metro he had a hard time finding affordable space to host local events, like social gatherings and events for a nonprofit he founded. That need led him to pursue his own venue, and SPACES by Premier was born.
From idea to venture
“I want to be able to inspire and work with other businesses, small business and things like that,” Prince said of his dream for the new venue. “That was the driving force behind opening the space.”
Prince, 38, a local pharmacist and entrepreneur, has strong ties to the community. He owns Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center and founded the nonprofit Premier Foundation of North Carolina. Prince said he’s also part of Sankofa Partners, an investment group working to revitalize parts of Charlotte’s west side.
He said he’s seen firsthand how difficult it can be to turn an idea into a successful venture and hopes that SPACES by Premier can support people in that.
“I really want to see people take that space and sort of test the market. “
Prince said access to space to test ideas is critical to developing a business, and SPACES will welcome that. He noted that the venue is “not just for events” but is a multipurpose, creative space.
He told QCity Metro he looks forward to people hosting pop-ups, fashion shows, community meetings and more at SPACES.
The SPACES experience
Inside the 3,000-square-foot venue, guests can expect what Prince described as a “neutral base” that can be elevated to any personal taste.
He said the “blank canvas” is something that can work for a wedding, corporate event and private event alike.
The foyer, he said, can act as a holding space for guests. It can also serve as a photo opportunity, pre-event cocktail room or networking bay before entering the main space.
The main room has exposed beams, high ceilings, and a “prop door,” or garage door. The door allows for the space to accommodate indoor-outdoor event needs as well as drive-in needs, like a vehicle, for an indoor photoshoot.
SPACES by Premier has a host, or dressing suite, a prep kitchen, and includes various types of tables and chairs.
“It’s multi-purpose, multifunctional. It was really designed to become anything that you can imagine,” Prince said.
With a 150-person capacity, or 100 for a seated dinner setup, he noted the possibility of live music events and set-ups for a live show or podcast.
The venue also includes two projectors and a “plug-and-play” sound system.
“We really tried to make sure that the base of the space is perfect for any scenario.”
Rates for the venue are $150 per hour, with a three-hour minimum, Prince said. Weekend rates have the same minimum, at $300 per hour. A day-long rental over the weekend day is $2400. Tables and chairs are included with all rentals.
People renting the space can also book additional services, like pipe and drape, event decor and other needs through the venue staff, he said.
Looking ahead
Prince said he’s looking toward the future of SPACES by Premier and plans for it to evolve.
“When I speak of [people] testing the market, we’re hoping to see how SPACES performs,” he told QCity Metro. He added that he’s interested in becoming a multi-location creative space.
“Almost like a millennial-type country club or city club…where individuals can come create.”
Prince encouraged people to look out for lifestyle events open to the public, like candle-making classes, that the venue will offer.
“The ideas are endless…I’m just excited to see what we can create.”
I like what I hear I think I can help you 😁