NEWPORT NEWS — After her church Psalms Ministries split up, Valerie Chester said she thought the building should be used as a venue space.
With the help of her husband and a few friends, the group created Studio 128, a new banquet hall across the street from Huntington on the James apartments.
The group is preparing for a soft opening next month.
“We don’t have a lot [of] event space on this side of the water on the Peninsula,” Chester said. “Everything is either a lodge or extremely expensive.”
Chester said herself and one of the owners, Oneka Fields, did event planning on the side and this venture brought all of their families together. The other three owners are Paul Davis, Sparkle Bailey and Fields’ husband, Steven.
All six are from Newport News and were introduced to each other through contracting gigs.
“It’s so weird,” Chester said. “We all like the same stuff.”
The 7,261-square-foot building has a reception area, kitchenette, restrooms and a separate office space.
The entire venue has the capacity for 300 people including staff — 75 people capacity for the conference room and 225 people for the banquet hall.
Studio 128 also gives customers the option to rent items such as tables, chairs and linens. A stage, red carpet and projects are also available to rent, Chester added.
While the banquet hall is equipped with a kitchenette, people who use the venue are only allowed to reheat items and can rent food warmers as well. She plans to contract caterers for the space depending on the customers’ needs.
“We will have a soft opening just for city officials,” Chester said. “Because people deserve to see what they said yes, too.”
In addition, Chester said the group wants to give back to the community in some way since there is apartment complex nearby
“We realize we are a part of a community,” Chester said. “We’re here not to just offer a service but to be a service.”
Studio 128, 7204 Warwick Blvd. will have a soft-opening in mid-October.
The rate for the banquet room is $150 per hour, the conference room is $100 an hour and event cut-off time is 11 p.m.
For more information, contact Studio 128 at 757-223-1028 or email studio128va@gmail.com.
