Events at Refinery

2302 W John St, Champaign, IL 61821, USA

Address:	2302 W John St, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
Phone:	+1 217-693-4449
Site:	eventsatrefinery.com
Rating:	1.2

Location

Photos 13

Reviews 8

Curtis Shirley

The facility is nice and the gym is well managed. The events side could use a management overhaul. Having some experience from the employee perspective, Id avoid supporting this side of the business until some critical changes have been made as there are some serious flaws in how this business is being managed. Employees on tear-down for events frequently have to work into the late hours of the morning after events for several reasons of which some have been recognized but not corrected: Missing "friends of management" who are repeated no-shows but are not fired. Poor or unmotivated hires, which are often employees working for the gym membership only due to the lack of a working system to prevent this behavior. Untrained and inefficient hires, which are the result of having to hire from placement agencies to fill spots left open by the previous two employee types. Unenforced or unestablished event policies regarding the actual end time of events. Schedules shared amongst differing mediums and of different types of communication without consistency as well as frequently changed without notification leading to under-staffing. In addition to this, management will frequently schedule an employee during pre-established unavailable times after countless times reminding them of availability. This practice appears to be an effort to terminate employees that they dont want anymore (not friends of management) for absence without valid reasoning. This business could be doing much better given proper management.

Kimberlyn Vega

I had my wedding reception here less than a month ago and it was perfect. More than I ever expected. Starting with the event coordinators Nicole and Julia who were very accesible and quick to respond. I dropped off my stuff and explained to them what I wanted the day before the wedding and they made it happen. I have received so many compliments on how gorgoues everything turned out and I have to give it to these girls and their staff for putting everythinng together for me the day of the wedding and I was able to relax and get ready care free! The venue is gorgeous, they have a lot of fancy and nice decorations, the shindelier, the chairs, the drapes, so much cuteness. It saves ya a lot of money if you dont have to spend tons on decorations. Others plus were that at this venue you are allowed to bring your own caterer which was great for us as we were picky about who we wanted to cater our wedding. Parking area is huge therefore you dont have to worry about guests having to walk far to get to your wedding. The bathrooms were clean. The staff was great. The next day everything of ours was packed up and ready for us to take home! All in all I am extremely happy and cant say enough about this venue!! If you want to have the perfect wedding, let these guys take care of you. I know I am glad I did!!

Melissa Hayes

I booked this location for my wedding reception 18 months before the date of the event. I checked many times to make sure the date was free, and was informed each time it was. When I went in saw the place, it was okay. It was really the package that made it seem like a good deal. I put my deposit down the day I saw the place to save the date (the date was very important to me and my fiancée). My check was cashed and I thought I could relax for a bit. However, I was informed a month later that the date “accidently” got double booked and when I was told the situation would be resolved by Friday. I did not hear back that Friday and was not informed until I contacted them, that I was just out of luck for that date. Trying to get my deposit back was another hassle. All in all, this was an extremely frustrating and disappointing experience, and I would never recommended this place to anyone.

Eric Yates

Let me start by saying the event hall is very nice, and this place overall has a lot of potential. With that being said, the staff needs a major overhaul. The door man was slow checking IDs and we had to wait to get in for about ten minutes. Then, I went to the bar to get drinks and waited for 15 minutes holding money over the bar. A woman walked right up and got served instantly even though I had been there for 15 minutes. When I brought this up to the bartender, she said she didnt have to serve me all night if I wanted. They gave definite preference to women buying drinks. The DJ had no clue what he was doing, and he would cut a song off mid song and start playing another song. Great venue, horrendous staff.

Nuria Serna

I love refinery! Have been here for multiple events. The staff is wonderful and have a great service. Definitely the team goes above and beyond to make sure you have a stress-free event. I had my baby shower here and my brother had his wedding here. They definitely can make a place look gorgeous and not only that Refinery was very welcoming of the LBGT community. I would definitely 100% recommend Events at Refinery.

Dustin Heuerman

This venue was excellent and had everything we needed. Nicole was great at helping us plan for our different vendors. By the time she was finished on our wedding day, the place looked great! I would not have changed anything!

Alexander Martin

I recommend that no one apply here for work. The interviewer was very dismissive and didnt give me the time of day, despite the time I put into the application process.

Alicia Calhoun

Went her for a wedding! Place was gorgeous, with great service.