Downtown McKinney is often recognized for its historic atmosphere, iconic restaurants and shops and the small-town charm that gives local businesses a place to thrive.
Among the local businesses is Gather in Downtown McKinney, a wedding and private event venue that its owners said aims to encompass the lifestyle and charisma of McKinney.
Co-owners and relatives Crystal Jansa and Jennifer, Kyle and Paige Klassen purchased Gather in November 2011 after the venue had been operating for 10 months.
“At the end of the year, we were given the opportunity to buy Gather,” Jansa said. “I quit my corporate job; I cried. I started working at Gather full-time, and now we’re coming up on our fifth anniversary.”
Under the operation of Jansa and Jennifer Klassen, Gather originally served brunch and lunch and functioned as a venue in the evenings and on weekends. Although the venue no longer offers stand-alone meals, it has developed into an event hot spot, Klassen said.
“One of my favorite things about Gather is that we have guests from events that will come back to McKinney to shop, eat and come say hi to us,” Klassen said. “People are always in awe of downtown McKinney.”
Jansa said the wedding industry in McKinney has doubled since 2011 and Gather has successfully developed into a venue that gives customers an authentic taste of downtown.
“When you’re booking Gather, you’re not just getting the venue; you’re getting a small piece of McKinney,” Jansa said. “It’s become such a destination for people to have their [wedding] venue in the historic square, with so many things around.”
