The heart of Waldo gets an event space

By Kathy Feist

As holiday party season approaches, event spaces are in demand. The Telegraph takes a look at some new and viable options for gatherings in south KC.

The 75th Street Event Space, 214 W 75 St., has an 1800 square foot open venue with additional space for catering, a 1920s vintage drawing room, large tiled bathrooms, and a spacious bridal suite that can also be rented out for small parties. Seating capacity is around 100 people, 120 at maximum occupancy. 

Opened in July 2021 by Howard and Laura Turley, it is the only facility in Waldo that is exclusively an event space. 

“We were asking neighbors in the Waldo community ‘What do you think Waldo is missing?’,” recalls Laura. “And people were saying an event space.”

As it turns out, the Turleys had been searching for an event space to own. They found one close to home, three blocks from their home in Waldo, and next door to Dr. John Turley,  Optometrist, also known as Howard’s father.

Laura and Howard, who both work in senior care, spent the pandemic turning the former gym into a fancy event hall. But not too fancy. 

“We leave the main space as a blank canvas,” says Laura. “We want clients to turn it into their own dreamy idea.”

Howard says he has seen the main venue turn into everything from a Spooktacular party space to a fully decorated fairyland quinceanera.

 What sells the intimate space to most party planners though is the owners themselves. 

“We are at your beck and call,” says Howard. “We help set up. We  bartend. We are here from start to finish, sometimes unclogging toilets, cleaning up vomit, jumping in when the caterer drops off food without setting up.” 

“We truly give whatever we need to make sure that day goes smoothly,” echoes Laura. By the end of the night, the couple is invited to be part of the family. 

The 75th Street Event Space has been rented out for weddings, parties, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, teas, and even a private school prom. The Turleys also offer micro weddings for small groups needing only a couple of hours from start to finish for a ceremony.

Check out www.75thstreetevents.com for more information.