The Opera House in Canton, Mississippi was built in 1853 as a place for live entertainment. After a fire burned most of the original two-story building, the Opera House became a focal point in Canton.
About a year ago, Eddie and Becky Briggs purchased the Opera House through their real estate company, Briggs Properties LLC.
“It was a beautiful building with a rich, rich history,” says Eddie Briggs.
When asked about the history of the Opera House, Briggs describes the early uses of the building.
“The first automobiles that came to Madison County were reportedly taken up the stairs by a hand operated elevator, assembled and placed in the lobby of the auditorium for the public’s viewing of the “newfangled” machines.”
When asked about their goal for the Opera House, Eddie Briggs wants to see the Opera House become more than just a venue.
“Our goal is to build the Opera House brand as a premier location for a myriad of special events. For weddings, reunions, seminars, parties and meetings of all types.”
After purchasing the building, the Briggs were contacted by Daniel and Morgan Pitts, Andrew Brooks and Mark Anne Hobart.
“We could immediately see the enthusiasm in their eyes and our relationship just clicked from the beginning,” Eddie stated.
The quartet brought with them the passion to create a new venue in the historic Canton district.
When asked about her interest in the Opera House, Morgan Pitts pointed to the simple qualities of Canton.
“I knew I wanted a new business venture and I was certain it was to be a wedding and event venue. I’ve always been in love with the square in Canton. There is so much character here: the architecture of the buildings, the small town feel – you just can’t find that anywhere!”
Morgan and her husband, Daniel, both had the desire to go into business together.
“When we first met the Briggs, weren’t sure of what our expectations or interests would be with them. However, it did not take long to strike a common chord with them. We already had a great relationship with Andrew and Mark Anne. The entire team seemed to have an instant connection and good chemistry,” Daniel stated.
Mark Anne Hobart is originally from Rolling Fork, Mississippi but her family soon moved them to Starkville where she graduated high school. She met Andrew Brooks four years ago and soon took her passion of cosmetology and hair design to the next level by graduating from East Mississippi Community College of Cosmetology.
When asked what brought her to going into business with the Briggs and Pitts families, Mark Anne didn’t hesitate.
“I always talked about how cool it would be to renovate a vacant building to create a beautiful space for weddings and other events. I never thought it would actually happen and just pushed it aside as a ‘pipe dream’. But when Andrew brought up that Morgan and Daniel had been talking about it, I jumped right on board!”
Andrew Brooks graduated high school from Jackson Prep before moving on to Mississippi State University.
“Since I have known her, Mark Anne has talked about buying an old building and renovating it into an event venue.”
Initially, Andrew and Daniel were going to go into their own business with an e-commerce focus, but when the opportunity came, Andrew knew he couldn’t pass up the chance of creating an event venue locally.
“The original plan for Daniel and I was to start our first business and make it self-sustaining. At the time we weren’t sure what, or when, that would happen. Well the opportunity presented itself much quicker than we expected, and we all just had to trust that God was opening this door for us and take that dive.”
With the Briggs, Pitts, Andrew and Mark Anne, there is enough passion and belief in the Opera House to make it a hidden gem in the historic Canton district. The openness of the venue makes for numerous ideas to create any kind of special occasion while always incorporating the small town quaintness that Canton is known for.
The hope for this venue for the future is to show how special Canton truly is and when speaking with the Opera House group, you can expect great things.
“One question I’ve been asked more than once is ‘why Canton?’ and my answer is always, ‘why not Canton?” Morgan Pitts stated.
For more information regarding the Opera House, visit their website at http://www.cantonoperahouse.com/
SIDE NOTE: Here is some information from Eddie Briggs that might be helpful under pictures or as a pop out section of information.
“The Opera House can accommodate up to two hundred and fifty patrons. It has an amazing sound system with wireless microphone, three big screen TV’s, full DVD capability and a private bridal make up studio that offers an in house stylist for makeup and hair if you want those services. Other Opera House amenities include a caterer’s kitchen complete with ice, double door refrigeration and freezer and commercial convection oven. We also have thirty tons of air conditioning and heat so your group will be comfortable no matter the weather. There are one hundred and fifty-two parking spaces available after five o’clock and on the weekend around the Courthouse as well as general parking on the square. Weddings are allowed on the Courthouse lawn with the permission of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. It’s a walk in package that also includes forty different music genre’s.”
