Veteran Port Washington Entrepreneur Nears Opening of Art Gallery, Banquet Hall

A once-upon-a-time established business owner in Port Washington, resident Bette Langford is taking another trip down entrepreneurial lane.

Langford and her daughter, Becky Luedcke, are remodeling the , 102 E. Pier St., in order to open Blue Heron Artisan's Gallery and Heron Bay Banquet Hall in May. Luedcke also plans to move her home-based business, Forever Young Photography, into a studio space there.

"I have people who still remember my face and my store," Langford said. "I still, 8 years later, (have people) say, 'I know you, you used to own Serendipity.'"

Langford closed Serendipity Gifts and Cards in 2004 because of health reasons, but missed owning her business. Now better health-wise, she decided it was time to jump back in.

Langford, also an established artist, said she noticed a need among other artists in the area for a place to sell their work — and that's why she decided to pursue opening the gallery.

"There is such a need for it, every artist I've talked to (wants it)," she said. "That's a need we are trying to fill … day-to-day space."

Building on historic value

A Port Washington resident for 19 years, Langford said it was the historic draw of the city that initially brought her family here after her husband's job transfered him from Conneticut to Wisconsin.

"We loved the charm, Port Washington has a lot of charm," Langford said.

The love for the city's charm ultimately influenced the purchase of the former fire engine house versus a different empty space in Port.

"I love the architecture and the character of it, and the fact that it has the history … I looked at some other buildings in town but they didn’t have the history — that just has so much character," Landford said.

The historic fire engine house became available after the  moved to a new location. Historical society members had hoped the city would lease the building to the group for a $1 a year, similiar to an arrangement they have with the city for the , where the society . But the city said it needed to sell the building in order to pay for upgrades to the new senior center location. 

Langford and Luedcke also plan to incorporate a historical display inside the building with old photos and memorabilia from when the building was actually a fire engine house.

"We want to preserve the memory, so we're going to (create) a showcase," Langford said. "We're looking for photos and/or memorabilia. If community members have anything they would like to share with us, or loan us for our display, please (e-mail me) at drifted_art@yahoo.com."

A gallery for everybody

The gallery will be on the first floor of the building, and is expected to draw artists and customers from a wide range of talent and interests.

"We want to make it comfortable," Langford said. "We want it to be the kind of gallery where people are very at ease walking into, and feel that they can afford to buy the art — and it’s not high pressure. Everybody can have an opportunity to own a piece of art — that’s the idea, to reach the general public."

The gallery can accommodate between 50 and 80 artists, depending on how much space each artist would like; 20 artists have signed on so far. Anyone interested in purchasing gallery space can contact Langford at drifted_art@yahoo.com.

Luedcke to run lower half

Luedcke is the hall coordinator and general manager for the Heron Bay Banquet Hall in the lower half of the building. It will have a 125-seated-guest capacity, with tables and chairs included in rental.

Renters may bring in their own food or have it catered; a warming kitchen and popcorn machine are available, and the space also includes a big screen TV. The hall is also handicap-accessible with free parking.

The Forever Young Studio will also be downstairs. For 12 years, Luedcke has photographed weddings, new parents, school seniors and families. Anyone interested in pricing or other information can contact Luedcke at Rebekah_rain@yahoo.com.

Though the two hope to open the business by late May, that date is fluid pending the remodeling process.