When someone tells me they'll "have my check in the mail in a couple of days," I assume the thing will arrive within a week. When Bob Dykstra, owner of the Harris Building, writes that response (in reference to returning our security deposit after our wedding reception), two weeks passed with no check. When I emailed him to check on its status, he replied that billing is done every month on the 10th, so I would have my check at that time - about four weeks after I sent my initial email. Now, four months later, my husband and I have still yet to see a check. That's right, in Bob-speak, "a couple of days" actually means "never." The Harris Building stole our security deposit. These people are garbage. Do not hire them.
That little opening anecdote perfectly represents the way things go when we signed a contract with Bob Dykstra at the Harris Building. Here's their scam: First Bob tells you what you want to hear. Then, nothing happens. Then, you check in with Bob and he tells you how things really are. And that's how I ended up having to pay to bring in my own chairs, tables, sound system, and valet parking, even though during our first meeting when Bob was describing what he and The Harris could offer, all of these things were included. Over the course of the ten weeks leading up to the reception, the message went from "we've got plenty of tables and chairs" to "we can scrape together some furniture, but they won't be matching" to "you'd better get your own." The same happened with the valet parking company; first I was told "we can get you a valet service for the night" and two weeks later when I checked on the status, Bob's message was, "here's the contact info, it would be better if you arranged this yourself" (that valet company, by the way, didn't show up the night of the event. They got their dates mixed up and left us completely in the lurch, so I recommend NOT using Bob's recommended company, At Your Service Valet, but instead finding a more reliable source). There is nothing more stressful in the midst of wedding planning than finding out that more and more pieces of your evening have to be handled a la carte, especially when this news comes at the last minute.
To top off our disappointing and frustrating experience, at the end of the reception, Bob and his employees at the Harris went back into the kitchen and found the boxes of food the caterer had specially packed and set aside for my husband and I to enjoy the next day (since we'd been too busy visiting with people to eat much of San Chez's amazing dinner - highly recommend). The Harris staff proceeded to take all of our food for themselves. They ran away to another part of the building where they wouldn't be seen, and ate all of our leftovers. Incredibly rude, selfish, and unprofessional. Pretty much sums up the staff-element of The Harris.
On the upside, the event space itself was perfect. The hardwood floors, exposed brick, interesting art and architectural accents all combined to make an ideal backdrop and set the tone (chic yet romantic and whimsical), and then the floral and décor design from Modern Day Events put the aesthetics over the top. I cannot say enough about the way Amanda Elmergreen and her team from Modern Day helped make up for all of the Harris' shortcomings in terms of planning and coordination. The same goes for Lindsey Schneider and the servers from San Chez. These elements brought the evening to a stunning conclusion, and at the end of the day, I was glad we chose the Harris Building for its unique atmosphere and visual appeal. Really, it's just the staff-component of the Harris that was extremely unpleasant. read more
