NEW LONDON, P.E.I. — You could say it was love at first sight.
Chelsea Lefurgey and her husband were driving through New London when they saw the for-sale sign.
“We just fell in love with the property,” she said. “It’s rustic, it’s elegant and it feels relaxing.”
About a year later in 2019, they decided to move in.
The former owners took good care of the buildings, and they saw lots of potential for the scenic property’s historic barns, she said.
The main one out front, originally called the Ramsay Barn, is 3,000 square feet and was constructed for a dairy operation around 1920.
The smaller barn behind it was originally used as a carriage house for churchgoers at New London Presbyterian Church to park their horses and buggies.
The carriage house was eventually relocated to this property, which also housed Gallery 18 art and collectables store before Lefurgey and her husband took it over.
They decided to make something new out of the old homestead.
They’re currently renovating and repurposing the space so to rent it out as an events venue, with a focus on offering engaged couples' a beautiful location for their wedding and reception.
The New London Carriage House will be having its grand opening in May 2020, before the summer wedding season.
Lefurgey has already been meeting with several clients, some of whom are interested in booking as far ahead as 2022.
“We wanted to have an all-inclusive type of feel. There’s (also) a lot of neat little spots to have your picture taken.”
-Chelsea Lefurgey
The venue aims to offer couples space for everything they may need on their special day.
There’s space to prepare, the ceremony can be held in their riverside field, and there’s tons of yard space for lawn games and mingling.
“We wanted to have an all-inclusive type of feel,” Lefurgey said.
“There’s (also) a lot of neat little spots to have your picture taken.”
Lefurgey has enjoyed the process of working with couples to envision what they want for their wedding day, she said.
“We want people to have a memorable experience.”
They’ve also been approached to host events such as family reunions, conventions, and ceilidhs.
Following a public forum they held, Lufergey said the community of New London has been receiving the new business very positively.
There are even some other local businesses nearby that Carriage House may collaborate with.
“That’s just P.E.I. for you.”
