Business : Residents are invited to "Gather at 109"

A new meeting place for events in downtown Vinton!

"This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive."

-Alice Waters

In the heart of downtown Vinton, a new chapter unfolds at 109 West 4th Street. Once a humble shoe store, the space now breathes new life as "Gather at 109," a place where friends and neighbors can come together in warmth and camaraderie. The vision behind it belongs to Ann Gordon, a woman deeply rooted in the town's history and passionate about preserving its stories.

Ann envisioned a space that offered flexibility, a venue intimate enough for a book club yet spacious enough for showers and family gatherings. "I thought of my own needs in wanting the flexibility to host larger gatherings, but still intimate and personal," she shared. True to that vision, the space has already hosted a charcuterie class by Jordan Merchant, an event Ann found exciting and fun, as well as a Bunco group and Mentor Literature Club which had Smoken on the Cedar cater a lunch for the event. amazing!

The building itself is a tapestry woven with history, each piece carefully curated to honor the past. The grand four-foot-wide doors that now welcome guests once stood in the old Nelson Furniture Store, a business owned by Ann's great-grandfather, William Clark Fry, in the early 1900s. His furniture and undertaking business was a cornerstone of the community, and the very doors that once opened to his trade found their way back into Ann's hands. Rich and Mary Jo Hainstock, who had removed the doors during their own renovation, wished for them to remain in town. When Ann approached them with an offer, they countered with a lower price, happy to see the doors stay where they belonged.

With those doors as the anchor, Ann sought out salvage materials to honor their era, ensuring the space retained a timeless character. Master craftsman Seth Kettler meticulously integrated old baseboards, headers, and woodwork, blending history with craftsmanship to create a space that feels both storied and inviting. Larry Kettler also played a crucial role in finding and repurposing salvage materials, from tables and chairs to ceiling tin that will be used in future projects. His adventurous spirit and support were invaluable, even assisting Ann in demolition efforts, including salvaging ceiling tin while she balanced on scaffolding. Andrew Elwick brought his expertise to the project by updating all the electrical work and also encouraged Ann to expose more of the brick.

Dave Morrow also contributed significantly, helping with demolition and incidental projects while providing guidance on the building's restoration. As the renovation progressed, Tim Mahoney stepped in to remove more plaster, sandblast, tuck-point, and seal the gorgeous brick wall-exposing a feature that was never meant to be seen but now stands as a stunning testament to the building's past.

One of the most enchanting discoveries came from the depths of the basement. As Ann and her stepson, Kristopher, explored, they stumbled upon an old shoebox filled with index cards labeled from A to Z. With a playful curiosity, Ann wondered if her own family name might be tucked away inside. To her surprise, she found a record belonging to her grandmother, Mrs. Cecil Fry, detailing every pair of shoes she had purchased in 1938 and 1939. The records came from Jack's Shoe Store, once owned by Jack Siegel, and in that moment, history wrapped itself around Ann in the most unexpected way.

Now, Gather at 109 is more than just a business-it is a bridge between generations, a place where the past and present intertwine. Every guest who walks through its doors becomes part of its story, adding their own footsteps to the echoes of those who came before. Ann takes great joy in meeting new guests, walking them through the space, and helping them determine how best it can fit their needs.

To book an event at Gather at 109, guests can call or text Ann at 319-560-9287, or send a message via Messenger. Rental rates are $100 for four hours or $150 for the whole day, making it an accessible and inviting venue for the community.

In preserving history, Ann has created something new: a space where community, memories, and friendships continue to flourish.