After booking venues as a wedding planner for four years, Grace Whalen wanted to see something simpler. Whalen, who started Whalen Creative Group in 2008, recently opened Tourmaline at 208 S. Buffalo St. in Warsaw. With its plain white walls, hardwood floors and simple price plan, she says it’s a blank slate that offers more flexibility for party planners than other spots that she’s used in the past. “Nothing’s flexible. There are a lot of great places, but sometimes you want something different,” she said Tuesday in her venue. “I just really wanted a space where people can create any event that they want, especially based on price.” She charges $100 for a four-hour block in the morning, $125 in the afternoon and $150 in the evening. Tourmaline can fit parties of up to 60 people. Whalen said Tourmaline was designed to be appropriate for events ranging from business meetings to wedding parties. Clients can also choose their own caterer, she said, since the space has a kitchenette it shares with Viand Chef Services. And they can obtain a one-day alcohol permit for $50 if they give notice a week ahead of time. The 1,000-square-foot venue has an audio-visual setup, and Whalen said the eight-foot bar in the back should be finished in time for the official opening in mid-February. She began renovating the space in October, an overhaul that included a new heating and cooling system, front door and windows. “Even though it’s an old building, every aspect of it is fresh and new.” The first event Tourmaline hosted was a retirement party the Kosciusko County Bar Association put on for retiring county Judge Rex Reed Nov. 11. A photography mentoring class is scheduled for spring. Whalen will also present on wedding planning tips at the Premier Bridal Expo Sunday at Grace College. Her email address is grace@whalencreativegroup@gmail.com and she can be reached by phone at 574-527-8738.
