Andrea Correale, CEO of the full-service, off-premise catering company Elegant Affairs, knows how to throw a party.
Since age 16, the Oyster Bay resident, along with her dedicated team, have expertly provided the greater New York City area, Long Island and the Hamptons with near-perfect, high-quality catering and event design services to make any party-thrower’s (and goer’s for that matter) wishes come true. With two main locations in Midtown Manhattan and Glen Cove, respectively, this month saw Correale open her first ever Hamptons headquarters at 230 Elm in Southampton.
Historically and affectionately known as “the old Polish Hall,” 230 Elm was founded over a century ago, built by the same families who established Our Lady of Poland Church in Southampton. It’s been a catering hall for decades, owned by the Polish American Political Club, and providing its members, as well as the general public, a uniquely large indoor space (about 8,500-square-feet) for wedding receptions, corporate events, and private parties, able to accommodate over 200 people, and then some. Most recently, it was helmed by caterer Tim Burke for about 10 years, ending in the beginning of 2020.
Locally, Elegant Affairs is no stranger to handling all the catering needs of several East End locales, most notably the year-round events at Water Mill’s Parrish Art Museum including the recently launched reimagined concept for its museum café.
Now in a 20-year lease and with a nearly two-year renovation coming to a close, the first phase of Correale’s vision for the space is now finished, with a complete transformation to the main floor of the beloved Elm Street locale. The space itself got a much-needed makeover, in terms of both aesthetic and function. With the help of Melville-based Beth Donner Design, Correale and her team were able to bring the beloved community space into the 21st century without changing its foundational footprint nor its basic dimensions. Among the noticeable improvements are lifted ceilings, neutral, yet fresh and effective color schemes throughout the space, new and dramatic light fixtures, carefully placed natural wood elements, efficient and modern bathrooms, an ample coat check area, and a simple but welcoming foyer.
“We wanted to bring out and utilize the great natural light,” she says. “It’s a bit more intimate, it’s warmer.”
The exterior of the building was also touched up, vastly improving the overall curb appeal. Additionally, there’s a new wheelchair accessible ramp to the side entrance of the building and a repaved parking lot sits adjacent to the building, slated to offer valet service.
“Of course, we want to attract a high-end customer,” Correale says of the newly refurbished space, “but we also want to do the right thing for the locals. We want big corporations to have their product-launch events here, but we also want to be able to host the fire department’s holiday party.”
According to Correale, events are already being booked for this upcoming fall, adding clients are currently interested in utilizing the space as a potential backup location if the weather doesn’t cooperate for a scheduled outdoor summertime party. “We really want to be a part of the neighborhood,” she says, “where you can celebrate whatever.”
Upcoming celebrations for the space include weddings, birthday parties and cocktail parties, for now. 230 Elm, according to Correale, will be able to accommodate a sit-down dinner for up to 200 people with a greater headcount (250) available for standing-room crowds. Correale noted that although 230 Elm comes equipped with a functional catering kitchen, all food items would be prepared at the Glen Cove location and then plated and garnished in Southampton. As far as prices to the rent the space go, Correale says events for during the week start at about $5,000 and will run to about $10,000 on the weekends. Click here to start the booking process.
For those wondering about the space located downstairs from the main floor of the building, the full-service bar and bowling alleys still stand with Correale assuring, “that’s phase two.”
