Each year, the upper floors of Downtown Marietta are opened up for a festive one-day tour to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. If you’ve ever been curious about what lies above the first-floor storefronts, Marietta Main Street’s Holiday Loft Tour is a perfect opportunity to sneak a peek.

This year’s self-guided tour features nine stops and begins Saturday, December 1st at 2:00 p.m. and continues through 6:00 p.m. Highlights include restored upper floor residences, professional offices, and other spaces in Marietta’s historic downtown buildings. 

“I’m excited for this year’s Loft Tour because it gives people an opportunity to see more of what’s downtown beyond the street level,” said Marietta Main Street Executive Director Sam Tuten. “Above our storefronts, we have people living and working in the upper floors of our historic buildings. The Loft Tour sheds light on the full breadth of what our downtown buildings have to offer.”

One of the businesses opening its space for the tour is IncSwell, a downtown co-working and incubation organization that recently renovated and moved into the historic three-story building at 204 Front Street. As Marietta Main Street’s new home, IncSwell will be the first stop for all ticket holders on Saturday.

“We are excited to be part of this vibrant downtown community,” said Jared Perry, Owner of IncSwell. “Since we completed our renovations this summer, we’ve had people peeking in the window. We are looking forward to giving people a chance to see our space.”

The building, beautifully renovated by Sixmo, Inc., has three floors available for shared use. While the first and third floors are dedicated primarily to co-working space, the second floor (or the creative floor) offers 1,200 square foot of wide open space, ideal for photographers, videographers, yoga classes, or private events.

While last year’s tour took place in the evening, this year ticket holders will be able to complete the tour by 6:00 p.m., just in time to head to the Peoples Bank Theatre for their Annual “Oh, Christmas Tree!” Benefit Tree Auction and Gala. The auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, with a cocktail hour starting at 6:30 p.m. Holiday Loft Tour ticket holders will be able to stop by the theatre during the tour for a special preview of the decorated trees and wreaths that will be auctioned off that evening.  Tickets for the Auction and Gala can be purchased online or at the theatre on the day of the event.

“We’re so excited that the Holiday Loft Tour lines up with our “Oh, Christmas Tree!” Benefit Auction & Gala this season.,” said Drew Tanner, Marketing Director for the Peoples Bank Theatre. “After spending the afternoon exploring downtown Marietta’s hidden gems, people can join us for live music, food, drinks, and a fast-paced Christmas tree and wreath auction as we celebrate and raise funds for the continued preservation of our historic theatre, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019. Plus, those who join us for the auction and gala will be the first to learn about the special series of events we’re announcing to celebrate the theatre’s centennial.”

Holiday Loft Tour tickets are now available for purchase online for $15.00 each through November 30th. Tickets will also be available at the door from 12:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. on the day of the event, for $20 each. All proceeds benefit Marietta Main Street, a charitable non-profit dedicated to revitalization in Downtown Marietta, OH.

 
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