5 Broadway Debuts in Downtown McKenzie

McKENZIE (August 6) — 5 Broadway received a warm welcome from the McKenzie community on Thursday morning, as the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the downtown event space.

Owned by Zeke and Kaitlyn Henderson, 5 Broadway is an event space made for small-scale gatherings like bridal and baby showers, birthdays and dinners. It can comfortably hold up to 80 people at a time and includes restrooms and a commercial kitchen. Linens and furniture are also available. 

The Hendersons, who also own The Silly Goose Children's Shop in McKenzie, live between Gleason and McKenzie. Noticing the area's need for small-scale event spaces and seeing opportunity in one of McKenzie's historic downtown buildings, they began working on 5 Broadway — which is, as the name suggests, located at 5 Broadway, McKenzie. 

"There's a beautiful venue here in McKenzie that facilitates events for hundreds of people," Zeke said, referring to The Venue at Waddell Place, "but people don't always need a space for 300 when they're having a birthday party for 25. With 5 Broadway being right here in downtown McKenzie, it gives everyone a space to connect and have a good time."

5 Broadway hosted its first event, a Sweet 16 birthday party, on July 23. It also served as the venue of a back-to-school breakfast on August 4. The Hendersons said they have several bookings coming up, including a Mayor's Luncheon during McKenzie's Sweet Tea Festival.

Zeke and Kaitlyn have more in store for downtown McKenzie — namely, a project Zeke called "the worst-kept secret" in town. Now that they have opened 5 Broadway for bookings, their next plan is to renovate the building to the right of The Silly Goose Children's Shop and open a menswear store.

McKenzie Mayor Ryan Griffin spoke at Thursday's ribbon cutting. "When I travel and look at other downtowns," he said, "I normally find a couple of people who have bought into the city that they have started to revitalize. When I think about Zeke and Kaitlyn, that's what I see for McKenzie. We have a lot of momentum happening downtown, and we're thankful for their investment in the city."

McKenzie Chamber of Commerce Director Monica Heath reiterated Mayor Griffin's thanks and said, "I just can't wait to see what you can accomplish."

It costs $100 per hour to host an event at 5 Broadway, and linens add $50 to the overall cost. A full-day event at 5 Broadway is $800. To book, message 5 Broadway on Facebook or call 678-936-2566.