Misti Martin with EXP Realty and owner of a new event space downtown, The Banter, was the guest speaker at last week’s Rotary Club meeting. Martin talked about her journey in purchasing and restoring the Ratliff Building, longtime home of J.F. Ratliff & Son Feed and Seed, into a vibrant event space on the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue. She purchased the building in 2023, comprised of three commercial units and a large rear warehouse space. The warehouse space is now home to The Banter.
She has also restored the former Fancee Fingers commercial space on the corner, which now houses Beau Henry’s Children’s Boutique, and has plans to renovate the space occupied by The Sewing Basket as well. Misti keeps preservation as the primary goal for the building renovations.
The original heart pine floors and brick walls have been restored in The Banter. Bricks removed to install windows were used to build archways inside. Some of the original tin ceilings remain as well. Martin reported the venue stays booked. I n the first six months, The Banter hosted more than 100 events, including baby showers, bridal brunches, mixers, pop-up shops, receptions graduation parties and civic meetings.
