A Community Venue Changed…read more
The Egremont Barn, now operating as Buttonball Barn, was once a cornerstone of local music and community gathering. Because of our long-standing connection to the space, my husband and I chose it for our wedding celebration, placing our deposit with the previous owners, who were professional and supportive throughout the process.
After the property changed ownership, we still proceeded with our event in October. This celebration held particular significance, as my father was seriously ill at the time, and we were grateful he was able to attend.
Unfortunately, our experience with the new ownership raised serious concerns about professionalism, transparency, and respect for both clients and staff.
On the day of the event, the owner attempted to impose additional charges not outlined in our contract. This included a demand for a $500 fee for using a room to get ready--a space she had explicitly told me I could use earlier in the day, noting it was acceptable despite the building being under construction. While I was getting ready, she entered the room while my mother and a family friend were assisting me and removed a rug from beneath them, stating that I "wasn't supposed to use the room all day." I chose not to address this at the time in order to preserve the tone of the day.
Throughout the event, the owner was also openly drinking at the open bar, which had been paid for by my father.
As the night concluded, she insisted that I personally break down the entire venue either immediately or first thing the following morning--despite knowing I had family visiting--or I would be charged for a cleaning crew. This expectation had not been communicated beforehand and was not included in the contract. When I suggested discussing it the next day, she continued to press the issue and confronted my husband, who attempted to redirect the conversation. To avoid further escalation, my friends and I cleaned the venue that night--while I was still in my wedding dress.
She later stated that she would retain space heaters I had purchased in exchange for waiving the disputed room fee. When I noted that none of these charges or arrangements were contractually agreed upon, she responded, "I'm expensive, and I'm not in the contract either, honey," in reference to her being casted on The Real Housewives of New York City.
Additionally, her conduct toward long-standing staff members--many of whom had supported the venue for years--was concerning and contributed to an atmosphere that felt transactional rather than community-centered. Some of those staff members have since left the venue.
What was most troubling was the timing and context. The attempts to extract additional money occurred at the end of a wedding celebration involving a seriously ill parent, placing unnecessary stress on a family during an already significant moment.
The Egremont Barn once represented collaboration, music, and mutual respect. Under its current ownership, that spirit appears to have shifted toward aesthetics and revenue at the expense of community and care. I encourage readers to proceed with caution, ask detailed questions, and ensure all expectations are clearly documented in writing before booking events there.
