Hiers-Baxley celebrated the opening of their Life Event Center with a party open to the public on Saturday at their new Villages location on Wedgewood Lane.
This location has many enhanced features for people planning a funeral or memorial service.
“We are one-stop shopping,” said Lisa Hugh, Hiers-Baxley location leader.
They offer an in-house caterer and have obtained beer and wine license for events at the site.
“We have fabulous technology. The ShareLife wall, for photo montages, is 34-foot x 12-foot and there is a technician on-staff to help coordinate that part of the service.”
There is even a scent distributor built in to the technology.
“Smells or scents are the strongest sense tied to memory,” said Justin Baxley, one of the owners. The smell diffused during the Saturday opening was reminiscent of the beach.
The main take away that the steady stream of folks coming in for tours learned is that there are three multi-purpose rooms at the Life Center and future plans go way beyond funerals and memorial services. An event planner is available for booking wedding anniversary parties, birthday parties, any life celebrations and corporate retreats. A 50th wedding anniversary party is already booked for June.
To showcase how this will work each of the three rooms was set up for a different event. One room was set up for a traditional service. The next room was set up with a night club feel with colored lights flashing and a deejay playing dance music. The music took people by surprise. “The sound proof system is amazing,” said Village of Polo Ridge resident Lois Klatt. “The music is really loud in here and yet you can’t hear it all outside the doors.”
“We are outgrowing what we can do in our other facility,” said Baxley. “This Life Center is the first one in Florida built from the ground up for the purpose of life celebrations in addition to funerals and memorial services.
Three friends from Tierra del Sol South enjoying lunch outside after the tour and all had positive reactions. “I could see planning a party here,” said Marilyn Rossi. “They take care of everything; all you have to do is pay for it,” she said with a laugh.
Duvall residents Ed and Kathleen Schlaff found it very impressive.
“I could see using it for a birthday party,” said Ed. “The caterer is here, they have a liquor license, you could do it all in one package, makes it nice.”
Sandy Chatfield, part of the Cello Choir playing in the room set up for a service, in talking with state Sen. Dennis Baxley said that she loved the colors used in the interior design. “It is calm and cheerful at the same time. I think it is just beautiful,” said Chatfield.
Ronald Klatt said that he anticipated some good natured joking the first time he attends a birthday party at Hiers-Baxley.
If you would like more information about the Life Center, go to www.Hiers-Baxley.com or get in touch with location leader Lisa High at [email protected] or 352-753-8353.