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Burster Inn opens as reception site
EL PASO -- A bridal party can be the center of attention seated beneath the room’s alcove during dinner, while guests later dance the night away on the historic building’s original hardwood floor. At the end of the celebration, the bridesmaids or an out-of-town family can climb the back staircase to call it a night. While they’ll enjoy modern luxuries like electricity, wireless Internet and new kitchen appliances, they’ll also take a step back in time. That woodwork by the alcove, the hardwood flooring and the stairwell are all original fixtures that date back to 1894 at the new Burster Inn Receptions & Guest Suite. “We left that to hold as much of that integrity as we could,” said Emily Barker, manager and event coordinator for the business. “It adds to the nostalgia, the feeling of getting together, being part of something special.” Tucked between Giovanni’s Pizza and Front Street Gourmet Tea Room in downtown El Paso, Burster Inn, 37 W. Front St., officially opened last month after a yearlong $70,000 renovation of the historic Burster building. The 5,000-square-foot facility provides a space for wedding receptions and other events, as well as a four-bedroom suite for people who need overnight accommodations for their events. The concept is different but works well with a lot of people’s plans, said Suzanne Heibenthal, who owns the building with her husband, Curt. The couple is based in Tennessee, so Barker, their daughter, handles the day-to-day management of the facility. “It’s something the community needs,” Heibenthal said. Apparently, since people inquired about and have hosted events even before the reception hall was really ready to open, said Barker. The first event was a retirement party at the end of November, and they’ve also hosted bridal and baby showers, a scrapbooking retreat and a wedding reception — the last two with overnight guests, Barker said. Before the downtown site was home to receptions and parties, it had a simple start as a men’s clothing store. The reception facility today gets its name from builder George Burster, and his name and the retail building’s construction date are engraved in the facade. Heibenthal bought the building in 1984 for her own retail businesses — first a clothing store, then her gift store — for more than 20 years until her husband’s job forced them to move. The Heibenthals also had renovated the upstairs storage area into their own family living area in the late 1980s. When it became apparent that the Heibenthals weren’t going to move back to Illinois, they came up with the idea for Burster Inn Receptions & Guest Suite. “It was such a unique building. We hated to part with it,” Heibenthal said. New chandeliers and ceiling fans draw attention to the 14-foot-tall original, ornate tin ceiling in the 2,500-square-foot reception room that can host up to 200 guests. The hardwood floors were refinished, and several other old pieces remain, such as wood shelves and drawers. Brides and other party organizers can arrange round or rectangular tables to their liking in the open space, Barker said. Burster Inn offers some decorations, linens and invitations, but clients also are welcome to choose their own vendors for those and other services, including catering and alcohol. That flexibility will save people money instead of locking them in to in-house providers, Heibenthal said. Rates vary depending on the event, but can range from $45 for a simple three-hour shower to $1,200 for a full wedding package. Guests can stay in one bedroom of the suite for about $80 or rent the whole space for $300 to $350. The 2,100-square-foot guest suite includes a family room, dining room, kitchen and laundry machines. A loft connects two of the four bedrooms for sleeping space for 10 people. Guests also can relax on chairs or grill on the four-tier deck off the back of the building. “It’s been pretty exciting,” Barker said. “We knew there was a need for it. We’re just thrilled.” E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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