Tom Myette has opened a brand new reception and conference center at 29 McKown Street called The Boardroom, with a hosting space of up to 900 square feet.

The Boardroom melds classic Victorian elegance with modern technology and convenience, Myette said. Using furniture pieces found at auctions and from his family, Myette designed the space to create a stylish atmosphere for meetings, receptions, bridal showers, whatever is needed.

Most pieces of furniture around the room are original Victorian pieces, but Myette felt it was impractical to have Victorian chairs around the meeting table. He instead opted to use “ghost chairs” around the  table, which are clear and seem to disappear when looking around the room.

The Boardroom can accommodate a seated dinner for eight, or up to 35 people for a reception. The space has Wi-Fi, professional audio teleconferencing, and Skype video conference available (hardwired for reliability). Catering is available from local restaurants, and a wine bar area is available for catering businesses with appropriate licenses.

“The Boothbay region, this whole peninsula, is a kind of corporation,” Myette said. “I wanted to create a business that would complement the other ones in town. Since we can only really host eight for dinner, a larger group can start here and then adjourn for dinner close by at a local restaurant.”

Myette did a lot of research on the original look of the building while planning the design, aided by Barbara Rumsey from the Boothbay Region Historical Society.

“I really respect Barbara,” Myette said. “She found original pictures that confirmed my vision on what the building looked when it was built in 1880.

“I plan to continue restoring the building, including removing the vinyl siding and rejuvenating the clapboards. But I will also embrace new environmentally friendly resources, such as heating with geothermal energy,” Myette said

“The town has been wonderfully supportive in this project,” Myette said. “From the code enforcement officer and down, they blow wind in your sails and help you along.”

Along the tops of the walls, four lines from the poem “Rubaiyat” by Omar Khayyam encircle the room: “Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring, Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling: the Bird of Time has but a little way, to flutter—and the Bird is on the Wing.”

“It means celebrate life, live in the now,” Myette said. “It seemed very appropriate.”

To reserve The Boardroom or for more information, email Myette at 29mckown@roadrunner.com.