Life at Lamy’s: Downtown at The Venue
Meet Michelle Quattlebaum. Michelle is a Kansas City native who found her way to Sedalia when she met her now-husband and longtime Smithton/Sedalia native, Mark Quattlebaum. After marrying, the two decided that Sedalia would be the town they called home and raise their family in. Fifteen years later, Mark and Michelle have three kids, two dogs, two cats, 12 fish and a bustling family life. Add to this the fact that both husband and wife run their own businesses and it’s easy to see how Michelle wears many hats – including that of a Downtown Sedalia business owner.
But Michelle’s journey to becoming the proprietor of “THE VENUE” started in an unexpected place – the dentist’s office. As a dental assistant at Katy Trail Community Health Center, Michelle became known as the “work mom,” offering care and guidance to her colleagues.
It was during her tenure as the office’s unofficial matriarch that Michelle first heard about a wedding venue in downtown Sedalia. A co-worker, eager to scout potential wedding locations, invited Michelle along for a visit. Little did Michelle know, this excursion would set her on a path to becoming a downtown business owner.
Upon stepping into the building at 219 South Ohio Avenue, Michelle was struck by its grandeur – 16ft ceilings, original punched tin, and hints of exposed brick. Despite being a dental assistant, Michelle couldn’t shake the feeling that this space was meant to be hers. “I remember walking around thinking about how if I owned the space what I would do with it. I even remember leaving the building and thinking, ‘that space should be mine’, which I quickly followed up with thinking, ‘that’s a weird thing to think, I’m a dental assistant”, Michelle recalls.
Six months later, destiny intervened when Michelle spotted a “FOR SALE” sign on the building. Michelle says she literally screamed, “OH MY GOD HONEY! THAT’S THE BUILDING I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT AND ITS FOR SALE!” Seizing the opportunity, Michelle and Mark transformed the space into “THE VENUE,” a hub of celebration and community in downtown Sedalia.
While Mark and Michelle have a primary home. they also created a living space upstairs at The Venue. Their family enjoy the perks of downtown living. They enjoy being able to walk to the pharmacy, to thrift shops, to grab a cup of coffee or even a bite to eat for lunch. When you couple that with the vibrant community events, charming shops, and knowing you have a place to rest your head when you just finished those late night cleanings at The Venue, it’s easy to see that downtown living is a huge perk. While parking shortages during downtown events can be a challenge, Michelle embraces the small-town hustle and bustle.
Among Michelle’s favorite downtown spots are “THE VENUE” (naturally), Cowbird Creamery, and No. 5 Bistro and Bar Restaurant. She and her family are regular patrons at Lamys, indulging in the Crab Mac N’ Cheese and a refreshing Cosmopolitan.
They also frequent Josey Records both as business owners and as a family. “Our Grooms Suite has a record player in it so I like to tell couples to visit the record store at Lamys,”says Michelle. And when they’re free or needing a distraction from a busy downtown scene, you can find Michelle and the kids parked in the Kids Nook inside Josey Records.
Though her days as a dental assistant are behind her, Michelle’s journey from “work mom” to downtown business owner is a testament to the unexpected twists and turns of life – and the magic of small-town living. The Venue is a unique space that allows you to host your event with pride and confidence. Their customer service and overall experience has earned Michelle the “Best of Sedalia” award for two years running.
“We understand the amount of work that goes into planning events; therefore, we provide a knowledgeable staff member on site during your event. It is our wish that your event is everything you imagined it would be!” We couldn’t agree more. History Loves Company and we’re so glad this space is a part of our Downtown Sedalia Scene.
