Colville Event Center Transitions to Colville Together

Business owner Michelle Hancock announced on June 1 that Crossroads Event Center located at 145 South Main Street in Colville, will be closing its doors at the end of the month. Since the announcement, Hancock now says the business’ lease will be taken over by Colville Together, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and planning of downtown Colville. “I had been trying to find a new owner for the business,” Hancock said. “I received immense support from the community since my announcement on June 1. If I hadn’t received an offer by the end of June, then I would have had to sell and clear out all of the equipment connected with the events center, such as tables and chairs, and close the doors.” Colville Together Executive Director Rosemary Shaw said, “Colville Together originally looked to purchase the events center business last year. At the time, though, we didn’t have the resources or the ability and had to say no to the purchase. Since then, we have received new funding sources and new commitments for Colville Together.” Shaw said that instead of purchasing the business from Hancock, Colville Together will be taking over the lease of the space and turning it into headquarters for the nonprofit as well as purchasing some of the assets. “Colville Together is already a nonprofit dedicated to taking care of the beautification of downtown,” said Shaw. “What’s happening now with this transition is kind of like a perfect storm for all of us. For Colville Together, this is an opportunity to expand our services to the community. The current massage business (North Country Massage) as well as Michelle’s yoga business will be able to stay.” Hancock said she runs her yoga studio, One River Yoga, Monday through Thursday while operating the events center in the same location on weekends. “While I have had two very successful businesses, working seven days per week is not something I can continue,” said Hancock. “Nobody wanted to see the business close. The event center is always booked with baby showers, weddings, meetings, parties, and all kinds of events. I lease the space and operate the two businesses out of the building. The owners love that it is an event center.” Over the past few years, Hancock and Shaw have collaborated to host 4th Fridays at Crossroads: fall and winter community events that include showcasing artists, music, arts, and crafts. “We partnered for 4th Fridays to help achieve our goal of having the community come downtown consistently,” said Shaw. “That partnership has worked for several years. There is no other location downtown available for these types of events. Losing the events center would be a loss. We want to be able to continue providing these types of events for the community.” However, Shaw said that she’s not rushing to hold events or offer event space rentals quite yet. She said, “Colville Together will begin the transition in the beginning of August. First, we will move our current office, which is located above the Pour House. We will run Colville Together out of the new space. We might offer event rental space, but it will be a very slow process on how to go about renting that space to the community. Right now, we are working with the owners to finalize the leases.” Hancock said, “The number one comment I’ve been getting regarding closing Crossroads is about how much the community needs a space like this. The events center is a place where we can come together and create positive memories. It has been a huge success.” “Michelle has done such an amazing job running the events center,” said Shaw. “We wouldn’t have ever got there without her vision and thought process.” For more information, contact Hancock at 509-563- 9548, or Shaw at 509-550-8420.