Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad & Tara Pickett.
Hi Brad & Tara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For more than 20 years, we worked full-time jobs while planning for a future that would allow us to build something of our own. Brad had long dreamed of owning an event center—something tangible, community-focused, and built as a family.
When we learned that the owners of Rustic Roots might be interested in selling, we reached out immediately. At the time, the space operated as a boutique store with a small event rental room, but the moment we toured it, we knew it had incredible potential. We could envision celebrations, weddings, and community gatherings filling the space. We shared our ideas with the owners, and very quickly, everyone involved knew this was meant to be.
Even before the sale closed, we took over existing bookings and began scheduling new events, fully committing to the vision of what Rustic Roots could become. On August 8, 2026, we officially closed on the property and became the owners of Rustic Roots Event Space.
From the beginning, this has been a true family business. Brad continues to work full-time while dedicating nights and weekends to renovations, projects, and improvements. Tara spent nearly two decades in the legal field and knowing the senior partners she supported were nearing retirement and that the firm would eventually close began to follow our dream of working for ourselves and building Travel With Tara, training and growing her business as a travel advisor while still working full-time. Nights, weekends, and early mornings were spent learning the industry, serving clients, and building a business from the ground up.
Tara continues to work full-time as a travel advisor while also managing bookings, marketing, and client relationships for Rustic Roots Event Space. We often say this was truly meant to be—the law firm Tara worked at for the past 10 years officially closed on July 31, 2026, just eight days before we closed on Rustic Roots Event Space. There is no way we could have successfully managed multiple full-time jobs while launching and operating an event venue at this level. The timing could not have been more perfect.
Our children are a huge part of this journey. Our daughter, Taylor, works for the Bethalto School District and will be graduating in May. She works nearly all of our events and plays an essential role in daily operations. Our son, Cheston, also attends Bethalto and is heavily involved in travel baseball with the Gators. Despite a demanding schedule of practices and tournaments, he spends his evenings and weekends working alongside his dad on projects and improvements throughout the venue.
To make this dream possible, we chose to complete as many renovations ourselves as possible to save money and remain hands-on. We have been incredibly fortunate to have Tara’s dad, Frank Zarantonello, by our side throughout the process. His skills, dedication, and willingness to help with every project—large and small—have been invaluable. We truly could not have done this without him. When we did hire help we used all local small family businesses for any projects we couldn’t handle. We truly want to support local small businesses in our area.
In November, we made the decision to temporarily close the venue—including weekends—to complete major renovations. During this time, we added new bathrooms, built a full-service bar, upgraded outdoor lighting and signage, removed the boutique retail space, and transformed Rustic Roots into a full-scale event venue. We celebrated our grand opening on November 28, 2026, with live music and food from our preferred vendors, welcoming more than 300 guests through our doors.
Today, Rustic Roots Event Space has over 59 events scheduled for 2026. We host corporate meetings and trainings during the week, and on weekends the space comes alive with birthdays, retirements, graduations, bridal and baby showers, fundraisers, weddings, and wedding receptions.
Phase two of renovations begins in February and will include the addition of a third bathroom, further expansion of the space, new exterior doors, security cameras, and additional upgrades. Future plans include completing bridal and groom suites overlooking the venue and, one day, expanding to an additional location.
Rustic Roots Event Space is more than a business—it is a family legacy built with hard work, sacrifice, long nights, and shared dreams. We are proud of what we have created together and excited for what the future holds—for our family and for the community we serve.
— Brad & Tara Pickett, Owners
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of our biggest challenges has been building weekday awareness and bookings. Most people immediately think of event spaces as weekend-only venues, so helping companies understand that Rustic Roots is also ideal for weekday meetings, trainings, and corporate events has taken time and intentional marketing. Once people walk in, they immediately see it—the space is truly unique and often requires little to no decorating—but getting them through the door has been the key.
Another challenge has been reintroducing the space to the community. Because the building previously operated as a boutique with limited event use, a big part of our focus has been educating people that Rustic Roots is now a full-scale event center. That’s meant consistent marketing, word-of-mouth, hosting open houses, and inviting the community in to experience the space firsthand.
And finally, upgrading a 125-year-old building while staying within a realistic budget has been both a challenge and a learning experience. We’ve had to balance preserving the character and history of the space with modern upgrades that make it functional, safe, and comfortable. Doing much of the work ourselves and prioritizing projects in phases has allowed us to make steady progress while remaining financially responsible
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What really sets Rustic Roots apart is the atmosphere and the experience we offer our clients. The space has a natural rustic charm and character that you simply can’t recreate in newer or more corporate venues. Because of that, many clients walk in and realize they need little to no decorating—the ambiance itself does most of the work.
We also include décor, which helps clients stay within budget while still creating a beautiful event. On top of that, our bar packages are fully customizable. Instead of forcing clients into a one-size-fits-all, corporate-style package, we work with each client to design a bar experience that fits their budget and their event.
At the heart of it all, we’re a family-owned business. We take the time to listen, be flexible, and truly work with our clients. Every event matters to us, whether it’s a large wedding or a small gathering, and that personal approach is something that really sets us apart
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perseverance and listening.
Building something from the ground up—while working full-time, renovating an old building, and raising a family—requires showing up every day, even when it’s hard. There have been long nights, unexpected challenges, and moments where we’ve had to pivot quickly. At the same time, taking the time to truly listen to our clients—especially understanding their vision and budget—has allowed us to create experiences that feel personal rather than cookie-cutter. Staying committed, adaptable, and client-focused has been key to our success.
Pricing:
- Saturday Wedding – $3500
- Friday Wedding – $2500
- Sunday Morning or Afternoon – $500
- Weekday Hourly Rentals – $200/$100
- Friday Packages – $600-$900
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rusticrootseventspace.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rusticrootswoodriver
