Myrick launches 134 on Main
Oct. 27—WARRENTON — On a festive-feeling fall evening in the historic downtown district, some 40 family, community members and friends attended the Oct. 24 launch party for 134 on Main, a new intimate event space owned and operated by Crystal Myrick.
The Warren County native — who founded the website The Warrenist — which promotes area arts, business and culture — had wanted to open a business like this for some time — to provide a space for community, educational and artistic endeavors.
Myrick's close friend, Sterling Cheston, stood outside the door checking to ensure those who wanted to come inside for this invitation-only event were on the guest list.
Upon entering the 1,100-square foot rectangular space — where cloth covered the display windows — lending a certain sense of mystery and air of exclusivity to the event — the soft lighting and saxophone music played by Andrew Clements of Saxual Moments were just right for the occasion.
Complete with an open bar and hors d'oeuvres, provided by Denise Allen of Sweet Delights Cookies and Things, and decorated with blue and white balloons along with the large illuminated numbers 134 provided by Jaja Crews of Crews Balloons, the party was the perfect way to launch the business.
Myrick created the The Warrenist in 2017, which now has nearly 4,000 followers on Facebook. And after some six years of doing this creative promotional work, bringing people out to events and celebrating successes, she said 134 on Main was a natural progression.
"I was taking pictures at different events and would receive messages from people stating that if they'd known about a specific event, they would have attended," Myrick said. "So I launched a community events calendar for Warren County. Then I started sharing positive news, because it wasn't getting the same amount of attention, if any at all, as everything else. It grew from there and became a platform to celebrate the art, culture, lifestyle and people of Warren County."
Myrick said she had long been looking for a space to utilize as an office, production studio and event venue, "to provide a space for residents and business owners to host intimate gatherings and to expand the work I do under The Warrenist."
And while Myrick is the sole proprietor of this ambitious and welcome endeavor, she has cultivated partnerships with local organizations.
One of her latest Warrenist promotions is for Warrenton Fright Night at the courthouse on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. This haunted happening also includes a tour of the nearby Dead and Breakfast Inn, owned by the folks who formerly occupied 134 Main Street when it was Second Hand Rose Antiques.
Reportedly all it took was some painting and dusting to create the latest business in this valuable downtown space. And everyone in attendance at the launch party — from Warrenton Mayor Walter Gardner, Rev. Candy White and Mag's Marketplace owner Korita Steverson, to storyteller Thomas Park and quilter Jereann King Johnson — happily socialized with each other and enjoyed the energetic atmosphere.
With a website, 134OnMain.com, in the works, and ready to book an event in this social brick and mortar space, Myrick continues to promote events on The Warrenist, where practically every day in October and November is filled.
