New event space opens in Rhododendron posted on 01/01/2023
Jan Ostram and her husband, Todd, had spent years looking
around for a building to run a business from. They finally found that location
when they came to an agreement to buy Still Creek Inn in Rhododendron.
Their timing, however, wasn’t ideal as they signed the
papers in March 2020, just as the coronavirus pandemic began.
“Every single bit of business was canceled, for I don’t even
remember how long,” Jan said.
But the pair who are also behind Busy Bee Catering got busy,
fixing and renovating the building in just about every way, from electrical to
plumbing to even cleaning out under the structure.
“It’s always something, but now, just about everything’s
been fixed,” Jan said. “It’s clean, it’s nice.”
Their new venture, Alpine Events, offers space and
facilities for business meetings, receptions, family get togethers, memorials and
more, with a name derived from the building’s former glory as the Alpine Hut.
Jan also hopes to conduct a variety of other events from the
building, including cooking classes, knitting classes, art events, pop-up
dinners, after ski events and more.
“It’s just about getting people together to gather and learn
from each other with a comfortable atmosphere and good food,” she said. “That’s
the goal.”
Next summer, the pair hope to work on the outside of the
building, including adding a patio in back.
But they also aren’t going to operate it as another
restaurant, with the focus on the events rather than set hours of service.
“It’s important to try something new,” Jan said. “We’re
excited to show it to people. We hope they like it.”
Alpine Events is located at 73365 Hwy. 26 in Rhododendron.
For more information, visit
https://www.alpineeventsmthood.com/, call 503-622-4618 or email
info@alpineeventsmthood.com.
By Garth Guibord/MT
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