For 10 or more years, Karen Larkin has wanted to add a touch of class to Milledgeville.

And now she’s doing just that by opening Karenna’s A Culture of Elegance just north of downtown Milledgeville on Jefferson Street.

Karenna’s is an elegant banquet and reception facility that is available for any luncheon, party or event. Karenna’s offers two levels of accommodations, a dance floor, a dressing suite and facilities for food service.

“Something I’ve always wanted to do is own my own banquet and reception hall,” Larkin said. “I not only wanted to provide another place for Milledgeville to host its special occasions, but I also wanted to provide the service, which I feel has been lacking up until now.”

Larkin said that she and her husband Rechard first noticed the small number of full-service banquet facilities in the Milledgeville area when they got married. Since then, Larkin’s time spent in the mortgage industry helped her grow that inspiration into the business that is Karenna’s.

On their wedding anniversary this year, Rechard said he and Karen were celebrating at the Ritz-Carlton when they decided to stop talking about her idea and put the ball into motion.

Karen put in a lot of late nights researching the business, while Rechard adapted his wife’s name to create the perfect title for the creative venture.

“This is my wife’s baby,” he said. “Her creative touch is all over. She did all of the painting and all of the interior decorating.”

And the result is an ambiance that blends modern style with the character of a building that dates back to the early 20th century.

“This is the second location we came across, and we’re glad to be here because this location has a lot more character,” Rechard said. “I think this is where God wanted us to be from the beginning.”

Recently opened, Karen said the banquet facility is a jumping off point for growing Karenna’s.

“We definitely have a lot of things that we want to bring to Milledgeville, she said.

Karenna’s setting offers them a lot of versatility in providing a place for the cultural offerings the Larkins want to offer the Milledgeville community. Karen wants to develop a restaurant side to the business, and she also foresees Karenna’s as host to a Jazz Dinner Club, live entertainment and the performing arts.

“Now people won’t have to go to another city to enjoy sophisticated entertainment,” she said.

To host your next event at Karenna’s, call the Larkins at (478) 288-4346 or e-mail them at karennas.inc@gmail.com.