Who We Are
Our Mission
Our mission at 623 Venue & Events is two-fold: first, to create an inclusive event space that honors our passion for people, food, and service; and second, to offer the greater Grand Rapids community a gorgeous venue to host intimate dinners, corporate, and celebratory events.
We aim to foster and build relationships by inviting leaders from the restaurant and bar world into 623 Venue & Events to cook up some culinary magic. Our space offers the perfect backdrop to showcase, honor, and celebrate our community of talented and diverse food and beverage creatives.
In addition, we want to be your first and foremost thought when there is a reason to host an event of any shape or size. We value the Grand Rapids community and strive to offer something special, memorable, and accessible for any and all occasions.
A Personal Approach
Katie’s service and hospitality journey began over 18 years ago in Traverse City, Michigan. As a lover of all things food and beverage, she worked in the craft wine and spirits market before shifting her focus to intentional and refined farm-to-table dining, most notably at Trattoria Stella, and Wren in Suttons Bay. She relocated to Grand Rapids during COVID to access a larger market and more diverse hospitality community.
After earning her titled certification through WSET (Wine & Spirit Educational Trust) as a Level I Wine Sommelier, as well as her Level I & II Distilled Spirit Sommelier certification, Katie’s passion for learning and sharing knowledge continues to grow. Since moving to Grand Rapids, she's had the distinct pleasure of representing some of the most highly respected restaurants in the greater Grand Rapids area these last five years - The Søvengård, Reserve Wine & Food, and Eastern Kille Distillery.
Katie’s love for humanity—particularly, the food and beverage community as a whole—and her passion for creating safe spaces for people drives her both personally and professionally. She currently resides in the Midtown neighborhood and is thrilled to be a part of its flourishing and vibrant hospitality community.