Barn offers rustic option
PROSPECT — Sherry Kyne is no stranger to conversion projects.
Fifteen years ago as the president of Eisler Nurseries, she converted her family's garden center at 1031 New Castle Road, into a banquet facility and reception hall, The Atrium.
Last year, a century-old barn on the Eisler Nurseries property along Dick Road was re-purposed into Pinehall at Eisler Farms, a venue suitable for more relaxed, rustic weddings and receptions.
Eisler Nurseries was founded by Sherry Kyne's grandfather, John Eisler, in 1926. Today, she oversees the activities of all companies under the Eisler Nurseries umbrella, which include the 400-acre nursery, a landscape contracting division, The Atrium, and now Pinehall at Eisler Farms, 517 Dick Road.
She said she originally created The Atrium to provide a local facility for events such as receptions, reunions and business meetings.
“We started The Atrium. It was an ex-garden center and wholesale nursery,” she said.
“I closed the store in 2002 and converted it to a banquet facility and reception hall. As for Pinehall farm, I always wanted a venue in a barn, which was renovated in 2016,” Sherry Kayne said.
She said of the location, “It's an old family farm. When we bought the farm, the barn was already there. It's over 100 years old.”
“It's located on a working tree farm,” she added.
To ready the barn for its new purpose, extensive remodeling was done.
Renovations, Sherry Kyne said, included adding a deck, new flooring, electrical work and plumbing.
The 3-500-square-foot barn is one large room with a new wraparound deck on two sides. There are hanging trays for candles and decor and a large dance floor.
It can hold 180 people for wedding receptions and events.
She said, “It opened on Memorial Day. We had three events that week.”Her son, Peter Kyne, a 1985 graduate of Penn State University's horticulture program and the accounting and human resources manager for Eisler Nurseries, said, “The barn sits on 170 acres landscaped for the view. It overlooks three ponds.”There are a variety of locations for wedding ceremonies throughtout the grounds. ”He said, “There is a bridal cottage on the grounds where the brides can get their hair done and get dressed. There's a patio to take in the sun and a kitchen and bathroom.”Kristin Kane, banquet manager for the company, said of Pinehall at Eisler Farms: “It suits rustic, elegant weddings definitely.”“We use caterers. The kitchen is in the basement. We have refrigeration, dishwashers,” Kane said.“We built a lot of special touches, like a handmade portable bar and a free-floating mantel, just for weddings.”The barn is available for use May through October, said Sherry Kyne, who added that September and October 2017 are already fully booked.She added, “Fall is really the busiest time. A lot of people like the barn; the setting ties in with the rustic themes.”She added, “With its rustic setting, probably as many grooms contact me as brides about renting it.”It also is available for class reunions and corporate events.
