Audrey Kondelis knows how to throw a party, and this year's Best of Springfield voters celebrated her big, bright and fun when they voted for Pole Barn Chic Events, which is both an event venue and planning service.
After hosting her own Mardi Gras-themed birthday party, complete with a Grammy-nominated Zydeco band from New Orleans, Kondelis decided to offer professional party planning services to others. She started out arranging parties for people at venues as well as in private homes, providing everything a party needs: flowers, balloon structures and other decorations, bartenders, a photographer and a DJ.
In an interview with Springfield Business Journal shortly after launching her business in 2020, Kondelis said, "I just want to make people happy, make them smile and laugh. Being able to do that for people means a lot to me."
While the pandemic initially put a damper on large gatherings, the business soon took off, and Kondelis decided to invest in a space where she could host her own parties. She purchased an 1865 house set on five acres of land off Chatham Road and added her own flair, including construction of a 5,000-square-foot pole barn. And not just any pole barn, but one with sliding barn doors, chandeliers and a second-floor balcony – hence the name. Clients can utilize the barn, attached garage (with a game room, perfect for entertaining kids or a bridal party), newly renovated house or all of the spaces, depending on their needs.
Springfield and the surrounding area have long offered party spaces for celebrations of all kinds in lovely, serene and elegant indoor and outdoor spaces. But when it comes to big experience parties, personally crafted without a cookie cutter approach, Pole Barn Chic claimed this year's prize.
