A family-owned interior design shop that has been furnishing Herndon homes for two generations could soon embark on a reconfiguration of its own.
The owners of Designs and Interiors by The Upholstery Shop are seeking a special exception from the Town of Herndon to allow a private events venue on the first floor of their historic downtown building at 757 Elden Street.
The Herndon Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss the proposal during a work session at 7 p.m. tonight (Monday) in the Herndon Police Department’s community room (397 Herndon Parkway, Suite 300), which is serving as a substitute for the town council’s chambers while that building is closed for renovations.
Named “Herndon Hall,” the planned events venue would occupy approximately 3,000 square feet on the building’s main level and be available to rent for weddings, receptions, corporate and nonprofit meetings, celebrations and other, similar functions, according to documents submitted to the planning commission.
The Upholstery Shop’s design studio and showroom, meanwhile, would be relocated to the building’s second level. Both businesses would operate on an appointment or rental basis with no walk-in activity.
“Designs and Interiors and Herndon Hall will operate as distinct but complementary businesses under coordinated ownership and management,” the applicant, identified as Herndon Hall LLC, said in a statement for the planning commission, adding that the interior design shop might provide optional services to Herndon Hall clients.
Dating back to 1900, per Fairfax County property records, the building at 757 Elden Street originally served as Herndon’s first movie theater and was often referred to in ads as “Elden Hall” or the “Herndon Theatre.”
According to a Patch column by Herndon Historical Society member Barbara Glakas, the movie theater continued operating under different owners at least into the 1950s. It’s unclear exactly when it closed, but the building later hosted a number of other businesses, including a pool hall, an antique furniture store and a Moose Lodge, before the Upholstery Shop took over in 1996.
The Upholstery Shop was established in 1977 by Edwin Colon Sr. and Hilda Gonzales, who then passed the business down to their sons, Edwin Jr. and Jeffrey Colon. In addition to offering interior design and reupholstery services, it sells a variety of new furniture, bedding, rugs, fabric and leather coverings, and window treatments.
If the additional use for the building is approved, Jeffrey Colon would serve as the managing partner for Herndon Hall, according to the applicant statement.
The events venue is expected to host at most one “principal” rental event a day, with most events likely taking place in the evenings on Thursdays through Sundays. Approximately 30 to 45 events are anticipated in the first year of operations, potentially increasing to up to 80 events annually once Herndon Hall becomes more established.
The Colons are proposing the following hours of operation:
Vendor setup and building access may begin at 9:00 a.m. Guest events will conclude by 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Amplified entertainment will conclude by 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Limited indoor cleanup, breakdown and managed loading may continue until 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday.
No changes to the building’s exterior are planned, but the owners are proposing to install a new HVAC system for the main level as well as two gates and a ramp to the northwest entrance.
“Herndon Hall values the existing appearance of the building and its prominent storefront windows, which contribute to the small-town charm and historic character of downtown Herndon,” the statement says.
In a report for the planning commission, town staff said the proposal appears to be mostly “consistent” with Herndon’s current comprehensive plan and downtown master plan. However, they suggested that more time will be needed to fully consider potential impacts related to noise, pick-up and drop-off activity, deliveries and occupancy levels.
“While the proposal makes progress in the expressed goals of enhancing Herndon’s Downtown image as an attractive entertainment destination, sufficient conditions may be necessary to assure that the goal of creating a pedestrian-friendly environment while providing reasonable traffic circulation and adequate parking is also obtainable,” the staff report said.
Town staff are recommending continuing the review of the application to the planning commission’s regular meeting on Nov. 16.
