Historic Clark Building reopens as Buchanan’s largest event venue

Editor’s Note: This story is part of Momentum: The people and companies shaping what’s next, a weekly series that explores new ventures, founder support, and the resources powering entrepreneurship and small businesses across seven counties in Southwest Michigan. This project is sponsored by Southwest Michigan First.

BUCHANAN, MI — A long-vacant industrial space has been given new life as Buchanan’s premier venue for entertainment and events. The Loading Dock, the largest event center between Benton Harbor and South Bend, Indiana, will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, July 25, with an evening of live music, community festivities and a ceremonial ribbon cutting, marking the debut of a space designed to host concerts, weddings, festivals and other special events.

Located at 325 E. Front St. in the historic former Clark Equipment Co. building, the 10,000-square-foot venue features two-story ceilings and expansive windows that preserve the character of the landmark structure. Its opening represents the latest chapter in the revitalization of one of Buchanan’s most recognizable industrial buildings, creating a new destination for residents and visitors alike.

“The Loading Dock was created as a place where people can gather, collaborate, celebrate, and create memorable experiences together,” says owner Randy Hendrixson. “We’re excited to open our doors and contribute to the growing energy and momentum happening in downtown Buchanan.

“Designed to accommodate a variety of events — from live music performances and corporate functions to weddings, private celebrations, community events, and fundraisers. The Loading Dock combines the character of Buchanan’s industrial heritage with modern amenities and flexible event space.”

The grand opening will begin at 5:30 p.m. July 25 with welcoming remarks followed by a 6 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. Live music will begin at 7 p.m. and continue through the evening, featuring singer/songwriters Abbie Thomas and Jarod Bolt. There will be a full-service bar and a full menu available all evening. The event is open to the public. On Friday, July 24, Gut Level Instinct Improv will perform. Tickets are available at the door or at The Loading Dock ticket page.

In describing the unusually large space, Kate Gassman, The Loading Dock’s business manager, says, “Many barns can hold 250 to 300 people, but we can seat up to 475.  The only comparable ones are in South Bend and Benton Harbor.”

The space preserves much of the industrial look of the building that was completed in 1918.  However, it has state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and a lighting system suitable for concerts. Three large video screens side by side make what Gassman calls “an LED wall. It’s the largest and only curved screen in the area except for ones in stadiums. Because of the curvature, there’s no bad seat in the house.”

The Loading Dock is privately financed. Hendrixson talked with the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which requested to be contacted about support for the second phase of the project, says Gassman. The second phase will include a rooftop bar, a covered outdoor space attached to the building where people can gather, and additional parking. Gassman received financing from Interra Credit Union, based in Goshen, Indiana.  Gassman comments, “It’s the first time Interra has ever loaned money for this kind of project in Michigan.” 

The Loading Dock already has been used for one large event —t he May prom of Brandywine High School in nearby Niles. “They called the next day to reserve it for next year,” Gassman says. “And Buchanan High School has reserved it for their prom.”

The venue already has scheduled some musical and comedy performances as far ahead as St. Patrick’s Day next year. And it’s partnering with the popular Underground Laugh Lounge in Niles to host top comedians because the lounge seats only 80 whereas The Loading Dock accommodates nearly six times that number.

The event center is at one end of the 80,000-square-foot building that was the headquarters of Clark Equipment Co. when it was one of the largest corporations in the U.S., regularly placing in the middle of the annual Fortune 500 list ranking companies by gross revenue. Clark was the first manufacturer of forklifts, and it also made truck axles, transmissions, loaders, scrapers and Bobcat vehicles.

Clark continues to operate several plants in the Midwest and closed the Buchanan one in 1983 because of a recession and a desire to lower production costs.  The company’s operations there were on a nine-acre campus that was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in January 2023.  Hendrixson, who bought the former headquarters building in 2021, says having the historic designation creates opportunities for grants and programs to help pay for the continuing restoration of it.

Two-thirds of the building is occupied by about 30 tenants for offices and small enterprises, including a daycare center, dog grooming, the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce, and a maker of pickleball paddles.  The campus includes two other large buildings; one is now Buchanan City Hall, and the other is Lehman’s Farmhouse, a restaurant and brewery.