In 2005, Elvira Grau was searching for a private, highend location to host her children’s birthday parties. When she couldn’t find what she was looking for, the Bergen County resident took matters into her own hands.
She found a 26,000-square-foot warehouse in Englewood, signed a 20-year lease and opened a family entertainment center with her husband, Jim. They started with birthday parties, but soon, “I realized
that we could do more,” says Elvira.
They ventured into larger celebrations, including weddings.
Over the years, the couple has created a multimillion-dollar venue called Space Events that offers many in-house event services, including catering, party planning, graphic design and decor. “We have over 50 people
working for us to produce these fabulous over-the-top events,” she says. “Usually, you have to speak to probably five or six vendors when planning an event. That’s what sets us apart. I decided to revolutionize the industry and create this one-stop shop.”
The one-event-at-a-time venue is fully equipped with bars, tables and chairs. There is no carpet or natural light. It’s not an outdoor venue and there’s no view. “We’re essentially a nightclub vibe,” says Elvira. They cater to “a different kind of bride and groom…The couples that we work with—they want a party,” she says.
Space Events is equipped with the latest technology, including state-of-the-art sound systems, black lights, LED lights, strobe lights, confetti machines and CO2 machines. “We’re not just the typical old-fashioned country club…We come up with really outrageous things,” she says.
The venue’s capacity is 961 guests, but for most parties that Space Events hosts, the guest list is about 150 to 250. Each event is customized. Couples work with the Space Events team to design everything from logos and decals to step and repeat banners and photo booths. “The idea is that when a bride and groom come in, it’s not just a venue—it’s their venue,” says Elvira.
When it comes to food, in-house chefs serve cuisines including sushi, Mexican, Asian and Italian at buffet-style stations.
There is no plated dinner. Because Space Events offers several services as a package, they don’t charge per person; they work with an overall event budget.
“We started with $1,200 birthday parties,” explains Elvira, “and now we’re doing, depending on the size of the party, $50,000 [to] $100,000 [events]—the sky’s the limit.”
“I’m so honored and humbled to be able to plan over 250 events [per year] and to see instant gratification,” says Elvira. “You’ve made somebody happy. You’ve created this everlasting memory.”
Celebrities including rapper Cardi B and Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice have turned to Elvira to plan their parties.
“We are catering to people that really appreciate the value that they’re getting [and] want quality,” says Elvira. “It’s an alternative venue. I think that’s what makes it so exciting for clients that come to us. It’s not the usual. It’s not the norm. It’s what’s new, what’s hot, what’s trendy.”
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