Gym owner opens events venue in former Studio Two Three in Scott’s Addition

The Workshop by T&D has the capacity for 150-person seated events in its space in Scott’s Addition. (Photos courtesy Kerith Rae)

A local gym owner’s new events business is picking up where a long-running arts nonprofit left off in Scott’s Addition.

The Workshop by T&D recently opened an event venue at 1400 Mactavish Ave., where it has taken over about half of the building formerly occupied by Studio Two Three.

Behind The Workshop concept is Kerith Rae, who is also the owner of Tequila & Deadlifts in the Fan.

Rae said that while she considers Tequila & Deadlifts a success after five years in business at 2614 W. Cary St. , the events venue is expected to serve as a new revenue stream to help support the gym, which she would like to expand with a second location.

Kerith Rae

“The gym operates on a shoestring budget. It makes its rent and then there’s a little bit left for extras,” said Rae, who studied advertising and event planning in college and has a professional background in marketing. “What I wanted to do is find a way to make additional income and do something challenging but in the realm of my skill set.”

In addition to renting out its 6,000-square-foot Mactavish space to weddings, corporate meetings, concerts and other events, The Workshop plans to hold its own programming within the venue, including a year-round farmer’s market scheduled to start May 9.

Rae said the first farmer’s market is expected to have 10 vendors. With an indoor site and plans to operate 3-7 p.m. one weekday a month, Rae said her market series helps fill what she sees as a gap of similar offerings in Scott’s Addition and is designed to not draw attention away from other local markets held on weekends.

“I wanted to make sure I did something that didn’t compete with anyone else in town,” Rae said.

The Workshop began operations in early April, and held a self-defense class, a metal concert and panel discussion on wellness during the month, per the venue’s online calendar. The first wedding planned for the venue is scheduled to take place in June.

Rae is interested in making The Workshop available for a wide range of events to keep the venue in regular use. The Workshop can hold 150 people for seated events and 200 people for cocktail service.

The Workshop is intended to hold various events ranging from weddings to musical performances.

The Workshop occupies a portion of the building at West Clay Street and Mactavish Avenue that for years was home to Studio Two Three. The art studio has relocated to the former Dogtown Dance Theatre building in Manchester, which the nonprofit bought in 2022.