FAQs and Local Vendors - Compass Occasions Event Planning Hutchinson, MN

Hosting your event in Hutchinson

Hutchinson is home to talented vendors, artists, performers. Discover our local gems with our curated “friendor” list.

Our sister locations include The Little White Church and The Craftsman Cottage.

Parking

Parking is located on the North side of the building in the city lot closest to our building. Please be aware of signage that indicates otherwise. Signage also indicates spots for overnight parking. Parking is also available on the South side of the building on 1st. Ave.

The parking lot for Park Elementary to the south west of the building is also available.

Enjoy biking, kayaking or wandering our river walk or take a self guided tour of downtown Hutchinson.

Mural Stroll
Historic Hutchinson walking tour
Kids History tour
Sculpture Stroll

Art’s Place scavenger hunt.

Art’s Place Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

We are looking forward to hosting your event at Art’s Place. We’ve created this helpful list of FAQ’s, but if you have further questions please reach out to hello@compassoccasions.com or call 320-234-2787 (ARTS).

Can I schedule a tour?

We would love to show you around. Please check out our Facebook page for our next open house event. Private tours can be scheduled during the weekdays. We do not offer weekend and evening tours as the spaces are often occupied with events.

How many rooms should I rent for my event?

Level 1: The Shop with seating for 48 guests.

Level 2: The Shop & The Glass Room with seating for up to 72 guests

Level 3: The Shop, The Glass Room & The Show Room with seating for up to 125 guests.

Could I have more guests for a come and go event?

Yes, Please inquire how this could be accommodated at each rental level.

Do you have a minimum rental time?

-Monday through Thursday, we have a 4-hour minimum for events (options start at $200)

*We make an exception for recurring meetings during the week.

-Friday through Sunday, we have a minimum of a 5-hour block for events (options start at $400)

Can I have early access to decorate/set up for my event?

You are given access to the building 10min before the event time listed on your contract starts. If you would like additional hours for setup or decorating please inquire. If those hours are available you can add additional time for $60 an hour. We do not offer 1/2 hour or 1/4 hour as additional rental options, only full hours.

What are the tear down and cleanup requirements?

We ask you leave the spaces the way you found them!

Decor and personal items:

-You are required to be cleaned up and all items you brought in must be out at the end of your rental time listed on the contract.

-If guests or vendors are in the space after that time there are additional charges of $50 per every half hour that will be billed.

Garbage:

-You are required to remove all your food, drink, and personal garbage to the dumpster located on the North side of the building.

-You are not required to remove the bathroom garbage(s) as those may be shared spaces during your event

Clean up:

If there are major spills during your event we ask that you mop or wipe them up. We will show you the cleaning closet we have available!

We also will provide a check out/clean up list in the spaces you rented the day of your event.

If I am a level 1 or level 2 rental, could other events be happening in the other spaces? Are we seperated?

Other Events:

-Yes, we have 3 available spaces, so please be aware other events could be happening at the same time if you have not rented the entire building (level 3)

-Keep in mind, you will be able to hear the other events and restrooms are shared spaces

-Prep Kitchen and sound system are first come first serve to whoever chooses to rent it (+75 each) the other event will not have access to these items if you add them on.

Separation of events:

-There are two entrances to the building: the north entrance opens into the Shop and the south entrance opens into the Show Room.

-Each room on the main level can be closed off from the others with a sliding barn door to offer seperation

What is the address of Art’s Place and where should my guests park?

Address:

Art’s Place
35 1st Ave. SW
Hutchinson MN 55350

Please note, you will have a specific door assigned to your event. We have them labeled:

The Show Room (South Entrance)
The Shop (North Entrance)

Parking:

There is street parking on 1st Ave. The parking lot on the North side of the building is also a public lot. The parking lot SW of the building (Parking lot for Park Elementary) is available.

We are not responsible for vehicles in any of these areas. Please be aware of signage and only park overnight where permitted. Parking Map:

How late can my event go?

All events are required to be done by 11pm and all vendors and guests must be off the property by Midnight.

Is their staff onsite during my event?

We do not have any staff onsite during events at the DIY level. We will provide you with an emergency contact should you have questions or concerns.

What is the process to secure an event?

Please fill out the contact form on either weekday, weekend, or wedding package page depending what type of rental you are interested in
We will reach out via email and if available, we will send you a contract & an invoice through QuickBooks with your non-refundable deposit amount to secure your date.
- You have 7 days to return BOTH your contract and deposit or your date is forfeited. If something comes up, please communicate this to us or your date will be released without notification to you.
You can sign the contract online and email it to hello@compassoccasions.com or print the signature page only and mail it to:
Compass Occasions
1287 Denver Ave SW
Hutchinson MN 55350
1 month before your event date, your final payment is due
The week of your event we will be in touch with an access code and check in instructions for your event!!

How can I pay for the space?

-We accept cash, check, or Venmo as options for payment.

-Venmo will be a request we make to you and there will be a 2% fee added to that request

-We do not accept credit cards at this time

Do you require a security deposit?

A separate check will need to be made out to Compass Occasions for security deposits. The deposit starts at $500 and will increase depending on guest count, hours in the venue, and if alcohol is being served.

We will notify you within 48 hours if any amount of your retainer is not going to be returned and if additional fees are due because of major damages or excess cleaning requirements.

If no damages occur, we will notify you that we are going to shred the check. If you prefer to pick up the check at Art’s Place during our business hours, we will hold it for one week. If you do not arrive in one week we will shred the check.

Do I need event insurance?

Recommended:

All events in Art’s Place we recommend you have event insurance to protect yourself and your investment in the event.

Event Insurance Option 1:

You can choose to add to your homeowners insurance policy for a 1-day event. You must list Compass Occasions on the insurance form and send it to us before your event. This is the most cost-effective option, however not all insurance companies/carriers offer this option.

Event Insurance Option 2:

You can apply for a separate 1-day event insurance policy that is separate from your homeowners insurance policy. Most insurance companies/carriers offer this as an option. If your insurance company/carrier does not offer this option, a local option is Citizens Bank Insurance who can be reached at 320-587-2674.

Does my rental include linens?

Linens are not included. You can add black or white lines for $10 each for the seated tables and black linens for the buffet tables. They do not come pressed. All high top tables include a black spandex linen.

Catering and Food at Art’s Place

Providing your own food:

-Yes, you are welcome to. Please consider renting our prep kitchen (+$75) for additional space to get ready and store extras in a area not where your event is being held.

Caterer:

– We have a recommended list if you are interested

-You may be required to rent the kitchen depending on the caterer’s needs (+$75)

-We do not charge a service fee for the caters coming into our space but they are responsible for setting up, cleaning up and removing all of their items from our space during your contracted rental time. If they require more time than what is originally booked those hours will need to be paid in full before the caterer can have earlier or later access

-No cooking can be done onsite in our prep kitchen

Food truck:

Please inquire before booking. We can not always accommodate their power needs or parking requirements.

Desserts:

-We have a recommended list if you are interested

-Dessert displays are also available from Compass Occasions to rent and they will be set up when you arrive

Alcohol at Art’s Place

If you are serving alcohol at your event, no matter which option you choose, we require you fill out our alcohol waiver and return with your contract and deposit.

Bar Option 1 (Most Popular):

Beer, Wine, Champagne, Seltzers, Canned Cocktails ONLY

You are welcome to purchase them yourself and give them away. You are not permitted to sell any product you buy. Only a licensed company is able to sell alcohol on the premises.

Bar Option 2:

If you would like to add hard alcohol (Ex. Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, etc.) to your event you are required to hire a licensed bartender to serve your drinks. Please see our local vendor list under Bar Services, for local establishments we recommend listed in DIY service category. With these establishments you must still give away all drinks and are not permitted to sell any of these products to your guests as they are not licensed to do so.

Bar Option 3:

Cash Bar Option for all Beer, Wine, Seltzers, Hard Alcohol (Ex. Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, etc.). You must hire a licensed bar service to offer a cash bar to your guests. Please see our local vendor list under Bar Services, for local establishments we recommend listed in full service category.

Ice:

Art’s Place does not have an ice machine. You are responsible for bringing in your own ice. If you have added on our prep kitchen (+$75) you may store the ice in our chest freezer.

Music at Art’s Place

We love events with music!

BANDS & DJs:

Please inquire as you may need to rent the entire building for a DJ or a band.
All music needs to be done by 11pm. No exceptions!
If you have a large band (5 or more), please reach out to make sure our space can accommodate a larger set up and their requirements
All vendors must be out by midnight to please make sure you are contracting enough time for their tear down too.

Want to be your own DJ:

-You may choose to add the technology package to your rental at Art’s place to have access to our sound system and wireless microphone. We only have one so it is a first come first serve basis.

What is not allowed at Art’s Place?

Please refer to your contract for more details of what is not allowed in Art’s Place.

Weapons of any kind
Drugs/Drug paraphernalia
Confetti/Glitter or Balloons containing confetti/glitter
Helium Balloons
All Feather Boas (if used, you must clean up)
Food or Drink Fountains
Rice or birdseed
Drones
Candles with real flame
Sparklers (NOT inside)
Smoke machines
Nails, screws, tacks, staples, 3M strips
Tape (only approved adhesive is blue painters tape)
Smoking/Vaping (only allowed in designated smoking areas outside)

How does weather affect my event?

No refunds will be given for the cancelation of an event due to weather. We may offer rescheduling for a fee (starts at $100) depending on the size of your rental and additional services that were added on to that rental. Please see our contract for more details.

COVID-19?

Please review our COVID-19 clause in the contract.

Deposits/retainers/payments to Compass Occasions are never refunded.

Local Vendors

We are looking forward to hosting your event at Art’s Place. We’ve created this helpful list of local vendors that have worked at Art’s Place before!

Day of Coordination/Event Management

Compass Occasions offers day of coordination packages and full planning packages at Art’s Place along with other partner venues in the Hutchison area!

Caters and Dessert

Catering with Dessert Options:

Chef Craig’s Catering

L & L Catering

Hollywood Sports Complex

Jen’s Catering & Sweet Treats

Buddy Boy Fine Barbeque

UDE-Unique Dining

Drop Off Catering:

Jimmy’s Pizza

McCormicks Family Restaurant

Main Street Sports Bar

Dessert Only:

Frill Atelier Candy Co.

Bar Service

DIY Bar Services: You buy the alcohol and you must give it away to all your guests for the entire event. These establishments are licensed though to serve your guests the alcohol.

With A Twist Bartending

Minnesota School of Bartending

Henderson Wine and Spirits

Full Bar Service: These establishments will bring the alcohol and you can choose to host an open bar or cash bar for your guests. These business are licensed to provide both.

Crow River Winery

Flank Bar & Char

Hollywood Sports Complex

Main Street Sports Bar

Buffalo Wild Wings

Unique Catering

3BC (Bobbing Bobber Brewing Company): Beer Only

Photographers

Anna Erickson

Jessica Knighton Photography

Alee Photography

Dreaming Tree Photography