A busy couple is banking on making their latest business venture a success in Leechburg.
Sarah and Shawn McGonagle, both 35, hold down steady jobs, Sarah as a Realtor and Shawn working in finance, and juggle the demands of raising four young children.
They relocated from O’Hara to Leechburg last year and recently opened an event venue in the former bank at 200 Market St. in the borough’s business district.
The Leechburg Event Studio opened in March and offers a do-it-yourself event booking and planning experience.
“It’s a blank slate for decorating,” Sarah McGonagle said. “It’s the perfect spot for a birthday, retirement or graduation party, a baby or bridal shower or corporate training.”
It’s their second such venture — the couple opened the Pittsburgh Event Studio in Verona in 2019.
“You bring the party, we provide the space” is the business motto, and both locations offer fast, online booking and permit BYOB and outside catering.
Business owner Nikki Saxion’s CoCo Coffeehouse is a short distance from the Leechburg Event Studio.
Saxion said she is excited to see another business open on Market Street and looks forward to offering CoCo catering to anyone booking the event studio.
“It’s nice to have small-business owners supporting other small-business owners, and the convenience of being on Market Street makes for one-stop party booking for people,” Saxion said.
The McGonagles selected Leechburg because of its small-town vibe, welcoming environment and proximity to the Kiski River.
Having previously lived in O’Hara for five years, they said Leechburg checks a lot of the boxes they were looking for in a place to raise their family.
“We love it. Everyone has been so welcoming. Sometimes you get pushback on things, but Leechburg officials have been collaborative and helping us,” Sarah McGonagle said. “O’Hara is beautiful but we love the outdoors here, and Leechburg is a walkable town for an affordable price. It’s the best-kept secret.”
Bookings for bridal and baby showers remain popular, they said.
The space accommodates up to 50 guests.
“Guests can use catering, bring their own food in, decorate with balloon arches, whatever to make it their own space,” McGonagle said. “And it Instagrams great with the white walls.”
The venue features lots of natural light, a kitchenette and custom tables created by Frosty Hollow Hardwoods in Gilpin.
Rentals are available for a minimum of five hours (ranging from $200 to $300), seven days week, until 10 p.m.
“Similar competitor pricing can be up to $1,000,” McGonagle said. “We’re more affordable and on par with what it would be like renting a firehall.”
Renovating a historic building appealed to her husband.
“I think it’s fun to have a historical building that’s been here so long. It’s from 1893. It was originally a pharmacy, then a bank,” Shawn McGonagle said.
The McGonagles first read about the bank being for sale in a Tribune-Review article.
The couple paid $32,000 for the building and spent about a year renovating it.
Shawn McGonagle discovered a few interesting items during the work.
“I found two old Victorian ladies’ hats in the attic and $1 from the bank,” he said.
The couple said the customer feedback has been positive.
“People can have a space, make it their own, and we don’t get involved,” Sarah McGonagle said.
Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .
