Excelsior Unveiled: History, Hospitality, and Heart with Kelly Dantinne
In this episode of The Follow Up, hosts Katie Robinette and JoséJohnson are joined by Kelly Dantinne, the owner of Excelsior, a historic and versatile event venue in downtown Lancaster. Kelly shares the fascinating history of Excelsior, which dates back to 1852, and provides insights into the venue's unique spaces, dynamic atmosphere, and the transformation under her ownership. The discussion also highlights Kelly's artistic background, the challenges of maintaining a historic building, and their innovative approach to wedding and event planning. Kelly introduces the Water Gallery, a newer, intimate venue perfect for a variety of smaller events. Tune in to learn about the intricacies of running a successful event venue and get inspired by Excelsior's commitment to excellence. 00:00 Introduction and Hosts 00:37 Guest Introduction: Kelly Dantinne 01:48 History of Excelsior 04:10 Reviving the Venue 05:32 Excelsior's Unique Spaces 06:31 Excelsior's Philosophy and Culture 11:03 Challenges and Successes 20:26 Personal Experiences and Reflections 26:43 Embracing Change and Rolling with the Punches 27:03 The Vision Behind Excelsior 28:20 Salvaging and Repurposing for Character 29:42 Creating a Versatile Event Space 31:32 Advice for Aspiring Venue Owners 32:38 Challenges and Rewards of Running a Venue 35:45 The Importance of Details and Excellence 41:04 Introducing the Water Gallery 45:06 Future Plans and Personal Projects 47:22 Connecting with Excelsior and Final Thoughts Learn more about Excelsior: https://www.excelsiorlancaster.com FB: @excelsiorlancaster Insta: @excelsiorlancasterpa | @thewatergallerylancasterpa Email: kelly@excelsiorlancaster.com