A Historic Venue with a New Story: Inside The Garden in Canal Park

Sep 17

Written By Mariah McKechnie

🗺️ EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 – Recording live at The Garden

05:43 – From steamship company to Grandma’s Sports Garden

13:01 – Nostalgia, memories, and modern weddings

15:20 – Why Canal Park is the perfect wedding location

22:00 – Touring the many spaces inside The Garden

27:30 – Lighting, lounges, and creative floor plans

36:00 – Taking care of vendors + behind-the-scenes details

41:00 – The story of the Garden Arch

46:59 – Wrapping up and the upcoming venue tour

Listen on Apple Podcasts

What if the place you once danced the night away as a college student could also become the backdrop to the most meaningful day of your life? In Duluth, that dream is alive at The Garden Wedding & Event Center—a space layered with history, heart, and reinvention.

In this episode of the True North Weddings Podcast, I sat down with two dear friends in the industry: Elissa Hashey, Catering & Event Director for The Garden and Catering by Bellisio’s, and Asher Carlson of Asher James Creative Co. Together, we traced the remarkable journey of this Canal Park landmark—from its days as Grandma’s Sports Garden to its stunning new life as a premiere wedding venue.

For those who grew up in Duluth or spent their college years here, the Sports Garden is legendary. But when the Grandma’s Restaurant Company decided to reimagine the space in 2021, what emerged was nothing short of breathtaking. Stripped back to its original brick bones and elevated with thoughtful design, The Garden quickly became a cornerstone for couples seeking both nostalgia and elegance.