A 1912 department store begins a new chapter at Rocky Mount’s Venue 290

The pressed-tin ceiling and original hardwood floors at Venue 290 belong to a building that began life as a department store in 1912. Today, the staircase leads into a different kind of gathering: wedding celebrations in downtown Rocky Mount.

Owners Mark and Nicole Redden purchased the building in 2019 after deciding to leave corporate careers and work together. Their backgrounds were in sales and marketing and banking, respectively. Restoring the property gave that decision a physical form.

The planned opening encountered the pandemic. The couple adjusted their timetable and opened in early 2021 as The Grand at 290, later adopting the Venue 290 name in 2023.

The renovation retained features that give the building its character, including tall columns, the staircase and its historic ceiling. More than 10,000 square feet of event space allows ceremonies and receptions to occupy separate areas. Guests can move into the ballroom without waiting for the ceremony room to be rearranged.

The venue’s current Diamond Experience combines rental space with planning and coordination, photography, catering, bartending, cake or cupcakes, music, fresh flowers and decor options. Smaller wedding packages are also part of its offerings.

That combination makes the project both a preservation story and a practical one. A familiar Main Street building has a new use, while couples can bring several parts of their celebration into one setting. Tours offer a chance to see the ceremony rooms, ballroom and gathering spaces and discuss the package that fits the event.