Springville’s historic venue becomes site for new memories
Story by Leigh Pritchett
Submitted Photos
Ryanne Noss of Trussville walked past a building in Springville and was instantly smitten with its history, character and ambiance.
So captivated, she was, that she bought it.
Since 2019, she and Scott Farris of Trussville – who actually spotted the structure first – have been co-owners of the Woodall Building, Inc. and have turned it into a venue for intimate weddings and parties.
The building is nearly as old as Springville, which was incorporated in late 1880.
Aaron Woodall constructed the building in 1881, Noss said. Originally, it housed a carriage assembly plant. Through the years, it has been a hardware store, arcade, gym, venue and restaurant.
On St. Clair County’s website, the Woodall Building is listed among Springville’s historical structures and is described as “one of the oldest hardware stores.”
An event planner for years, Noss decided she wanted to do that full time and have her own venue for the events.
Six months of work went into readying the building to be a venue. Care was taken to maintain period style and colors. “We wanted to preserve history, … keep history alive,” Noss said.
Mackenzie Free, half of the photography duo, Mac & Meg Collective in Steele, said the historical nature and architecture of the building make it an ideal backdrop for pictures.
The building’s 1,500 square feet include a first-level reception area with dark, vintage wood flooring. Chandeliers hang from organza-draped rafters. Noss said the draped ceiling is reminiscent of the elegance in a Victorian hotel lobby. “I really think that makes it.”
The mezzanine between the first and second levels is the bridal suite, furnished with period pieces. The mezzanine has actually held as many as 14 bridesmaids at one time, Noss said.
On the second level is the groom’s suite, featuring a brick accent wall and leather furnishings. Noss has chosen an “old English hunting lodge theme” for that room.
Beyond that suite is the chapel area set off with classic iron railing. The chapel’s metal ceiling and string lights – coupled with vintage flooring and painted brick – create what Noss calls an “industrial and antique” atmosphere. The bricks, holding 140 years of history, were handmade in Springville.
Billows of natural light pour into the chapel through seven large windows, much to the delight of photographers.
“I think it is a great place for a wedding,” Free said.
The three windows at the front of the chapel are framed in distressed turquoise blue. Brides sometimes incorporate those windows as art elements in their wedding decor, Noss said.
To the rear of the building is a private, outdoor courtyard with stringed lights and a stage. The building and courtyard can accommodate 100-125 people. Noss said one event at a time is held at the Woodall Building so that she can devote to it her undivided attention.
The building opened for events on March 5, 2020. Ten days later, the global pandemic closed it for a time.
The first wedding was held in May 2020 and, by that August, Noss was seeing a definite uptick in business.
To reassure prospective brides, Noss guaranteed the return of deposits if pandemic measures required that the building be closed.
She also worked with brides whose original venues canceled because of the pandemic.
Two months before her wedding on April 24, 2021, Paige Windham of Trussville lost her wedding venue for a different reason – storm and water damage. Because the caterer was part of the rental package, she lost that, too.
She found the Woodall Building through an internet search. With Noss’ help and Noss’ contacts, Windham was able to get her wedding replanned in less than two days.
What attracted Windham to the Woodall Building was “… everything. The exterior is gorgeous. I love the flooring. The flooring was perfect,” Windham said on April 23 when she and husband-to-be Trent Furlow came to leave some wedding items.
The character and amenities of the Woodall Building were a perfect fit for the small wedding with family and friends Windham said she wanted from the beginning.
Windham added that she felt more like Noss’ friend than a client because Noss has an accommodating spirit and goes “above and beyond.”
From May 2020 to June 1, 2021, the Woodall Building was the site for 10 weddings, five sweet-16 parties, numerous other birthday parties, baby showers, after-rehearsal dinners and sundry events.
“Total, we had 36 events last year,” Noss said. “… I was proud of 36.”
As of late April this year, Noss already had another 36 booked for 2021.
She works to make certain weddings are “affordable, yet elegant.” Setup and cleanup are included in the venue’s rental fee.
She said the brides who rent the venue are not confined to just a couple of visits. Rather, they are welcome to come sit, think and visualize what they want for their day.
When a bride chooses the Woodall Building, she not only secures a venue, but also a wedding coordinator. After the bride selects the florist, caterer and other vendors and makes her wishes known to them, Noss takes over from there. Noss assumes the work of advance preparations and serves as the wedding day coordinator.
Brides, she explained, want to depend on someone who will make their wedding dreams come true, and Noss tries to be that person.
“I just love my brides. I just do! … I try to make it as stress-free as possible. … So far, we’ve had drama-free weddings. That’s what I like!”
Noss has been delighted with the reception her business has received locally. People who have held events at the building are so excited about it that they volunteer to help her with other events, she said.
“Springville has been absolutely fabulous,” Noss said.
