WAPAKONETA — Moon City Music and Event Center — a new venue for live music, children events, comedy and weddings — has opened at 1208 Lunar Drive in Wapakoneta, near Interstate-75.
“Basically, this started because I’ve worked at Best Western for 10 years and saw a need for something for visitors to do,” said co-owner Lori Lambert.
Lambert said the area of Wapakoneta near I-75 doesn’t have many tourism draws besides places like the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. Lambert and her husband, Brad, found a perfect building behind the Super-8 and Best Western Hotels right off the interstate.
“W’ere trying to bring more tourism to Wapakoneta,” Lambert said.
Moon City Music and Event Center is more than just a venue. Along with the event room and concession stand, the center also includes a small Barb Wire and Grace Boutique run by center partner Nita Cummings and Courtney Turner. There’s also a branch of Opie’s Floral Designs in one of the numerous rooms in the building.
The center also sells jewelry and crafts on consignment from local artists and business people, Lambert said.
The Lamberts also moved their music store, Park Street Music, to the event center.
The first concert at Moon City was held on Oct. 6 and more shows are booked through 2018 and into 2019, she said.
Bluegrass is the main genre of music Lamert is focusing on, she said. There are plans to bring country, rock and other genres to the center as time goes on.
“There’s a big draw for it (bluegrass music) in the area,” she said.
There are venues for bluegrass in Dayton and Toledo but nothing between those two cities, she said.
Moon City Music and Event Center has also hosted several meetings, parties and two weddings, Lambert said. A talent show is planned for Feb. 18. Adults and children can participate, she said. Anyone interested may contact her on the center’s Facebook or Instagram page, she said. They can also see the event schedule on those pages, she said.
“Things have been going well,” Lambert said, adding the people who attend events at Moon City Music and Event Center talk about their experience with friends and share the experience on social media, which helps spread the word.
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