OAKVILLE, Ind. — In 2016, Vick and Christa Conway were thinking about tearing down the 19th century horse barn behind their historic home in the country.
Evidently built in 1863, the barn in southern Delaware County had fallen into disrepair and become a catchall for a variety of things.
But their son Garrett wanted to save it and ended up doing a lot of the work to make it a suitable place for his high school graduation open house. It also became a hangout for him and other kids.
Today, with the approval of a zoning variance by the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals, the barn is being used as the retail store for the family's Barnside Bloom and Events business — a U-pick flower farm and rustic venue for weddings and other celebrations.
Barnside Bloom is one of two variances authorized by the BZA this summer to allow event-venue businesses in barns. A variance for a third barn to become a wedding venue was denied; it was located in an area with closer neighbors than the other two barns.
Several other rural event centers, including former barns, have popped up in Delaware County in recent years to capitalize on the popularity of the barn/rustic wedding style.
"This is a very unique property that needs to be shared with all of Delaware County," Christopher and Katherine Straley said in their variance application for The Barn at Cottonwood. " … we are excited to share our home and property with couples on the biggest day of their lives."
The Straleys' secluded property on the far east side of the county includes a residence, an Amish-built barn, a three-stall English-style carriage house and a beautifully decorated, 19th-century guest log cabin rescued from London, Ky.
The Conways also want to share their real estate with the public.
"Our plan is to encourage the public to spend time on our farm, where they can venture into the rows of flowers, pick the flowers of their choice, and build their own bouquets," the couple said in their variance petition. "They can spend time browsing in the barn, admiring the horses and enjoying the country atmosphere while we put together their flower arrangements."
In their barn's hayloft, the Conways discovered notched-out logs that they believed were part of a cabin that once occupied the site. The date 1863 was scratched on a post in the barn. The family resides in a house built on site in 1872.
After the coronavirus pandemic interrupted son Garret's internship opportunities via Indiana University, he and his father turned their attention to agritourism — tilling a horse pasture on which they sowed flower seeds after researching U-pick flower farms.
But farming is not a full-time job for the Conways. Vick is a superintendent at a Richmond manufacturing plant and Christa is a work-at-home graphic designer and social media promoter.
Christa is hearing from people that, because of the coronavirus pandemic, they want a peaceful, back-to-nature venue they can go to and not feel like they're putting their health at risk.
In addition to flowers, the family produces honey for sale from their own bee hives. The farm's atmosphere also includes cats in the barn, dachshunds in the flower field, twinkle lights in the barn and flower field, and from time to time a food truck and live music.
RELATED COVERAGE:
► Judge affirms decision on new wedding venue
► BZA asked to approve historic barn/wedding venues
Contact Seth Slabaugh at 765 716-6580 or seths@muncie.gannett.com
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The Link LonkSeptember 07, 2020 at 06:02PM
https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2020/09/07/bza-oks-u-pick-flower-farm-historic-barn/5679370002/
Zoning board OK's U-pick flower farm with historic barn turned wedding venue - The Star Press
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