Upshur County has a new event venue in Hampton, and it’s ready for events now.
Gary Connell, owner of Jaws BBQ and now the Hampton Venue, officially opened the new event space during a Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting on November 21.
“It was my dream and my passion since day one to open a venue out here. We would like to be part of the solution, not the problem, and that’s why we bought the church and we remodeled it,” Connell said. “At every step of the way, people stepped forward. It was all built with Upshur County businesses and labor; nothing came from outside of Upshur County. Well, some of the parts did, but no contractors — they were all local: Ralph’s, Spotloe Construction and Jim Lane Flooring. It goes on from there.”
The Hampton Venue will be fully ready in about two or three weeks, but people can book the space now by calling (304) 472-2700.
“We started out envisioning it as a wedding venue, but we’ve had family reunions, we’ve had class reunions. We haven’t had any weddings yet, but we have a special deal going until the first of March: if you book the building and use our food, the rent will be waived,” Connell said. “You have to book it with a deposit, and then if somebody wants to get married here, they can either book for one day or three days. We’re open for anything.”
The venue already has a vow renewal scheduled.
“I can’t thank the Linger family enough for their support. They were pillars in the community, and David Linger runs the cemetery near the building,” Connell said. “We work hand in hand; we want to be good neighbors.”
Reverend Dr. Archie Snedegar said he has known Gary Connell and his family for years and knew Connell’s parents would be proud of him.
“We remember the father and mother of Gary Connell, Robert and Jody Connell, who brought him into this world, who loved him, inspired him and were responsible for making him the loving and caring man who, throughout his life, has dreamed impossible dreams and has brought many of those dreams into reality with the inspiration and the help of God. This beautiful building is the result of one such dream,” Snedegar said. “A transition of the use of this beautiful building makes for a functional place where many activities will be taking place. Lives have been changed and molded.”
Snedegar said he hopes the events in the space will be joyful and create new, long-lasting memories.
“May the activities that take place in this building continue to make wonderful memories that will never be forgotten,” Snedegar said. “May God bless the functions and activities which will take place within the walls of this beautiful building. May this community be ever grateful for the vision of Gary Connell and his wonderful wife.”
