Big Top Tents grows to host events on site

The business of Big Top Tent Rentals is getting bigger, according to expansion plans in the former Bomgaars building in Luverne.
Big Top Tent Rentals owners Jordan and Stacey Smidt attended Monday morning’s meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority to discuss their business expansion at 321 W. Hatting St.
In 2015 they bought the tent rental business from Mike and Wanda Jarchow and expanded it in 2019 to include a snow removal service and a portable bathroom rental service.
Now they’re expanding to offer indoor event space and diversify their rental services.
“It will offer the option of not only us going out to them, but they can come to us,” Stacy Smidt said.
“There’s no kitchen, but there’s a prep room, and they can bring everything in from their caterers.”
Essentially, the expansion will offer more options year-round instead of just seasonally, with both on-site and off-site options.
Their large property also provides the ability to host outdoor events on site as well, with the renovated indoor space serving as a back-up plan in the event of inclement weather.
A 40-by-40-foot patio and tent will be added to the north side of the building for outdoor space that is ADA compliant.
Half of the building is currently used for storage of their tents and equipment, and the other half offers additional space for indoor events with renovation.
The large building also offers space to add business offices, restrooms, and storage and catering rooms.
Big Top currently employs four full-time and three part-time employees.
The scope of the business expansion project also includes:
•adding offices, break room, catering room, storage room and new ADA-compliant bathrooms.
•upgrading and installing plumbing, HVAC, electrical and fire sprinklers to meet code requirements.
The expansion project will cost $310,000 and the LEDA approved two loans totaling $30,000 to support it.
The LEDA approved a $25,000 Gap Loan at 2 percent interest for 10 years with monthly installments.
The Big Top Tent Rentals project also qualifies for a $5,000 Rural Business Assistance Loan at zero percent interest for five years with monthly installments.
The loans, secured with a mortgage on the property, were approved unanimously by the LEDA. “Congratulations and good luck,” Mayor Pat Baustian told the Smidts.
The project is also being financed in partnership with a bank loan, an SBA loan and owners' equity.