Salvage One at 1840 W Hubbard in Chicago is a non-traditional wedding venue with a significant twist, they don't like DJs.

I haven't agreed to do a wedding in over 4 years, something about the overzealous brides and hellish circumstances that surround the events of wedding just aren't my style. However, this was an exception for a good friend of mine that I work with, so I decided that I would help him out.

The night started great and employees at Salvage One were helpful and informative, I was allowed to use the back-gate and service elevator to bring my equipment up to the 2nd floor where the reception was to be held. There are no power outlets on the main stage, so they have to run an extension cord, but when I setup the extension cord was not plugged into anything. One of the staff members came upstairs to help me out and plugged me in. About 10 minutes into my set my power conditioner blew 2 fuses because they plugged me into a 15A circuit instead of 20A (the difference is explained here).

Besides having to keep a constant eye on my power consumption, the rest of the night went well until closing time. My contract was written until 12:00 Midnight, at about 11:50 a member of the staff came over and told me to cut the music. Puzzled, I told the staff member that I was contracted until Midnight and asked her why the venue wasn't contracted the same. She replied that the venue was only contracted till 11:30 and that we were already 20 minutes past the end time. I told her to double check with the bride & groom, and then I would stop the music. I wasn't going to just cut the music without having played their requested "last song". Without any further hesitation I see a man out of the corner of my eye conferring with the woman I just talked to, then he heads for the breaker box and cuts EVERYTHING!

Now, I don't have too much experience in amplifier repair, but I can fix the basic things, and I'm not sure what caused it, but when that breaker was flipped, it melted the fuses in my amp. I walked off the stage and went to confront the man at the breaker box and he was already in a heated argument with other patrons. Keep in mind that I approached him with the utmost respect and professionalism, and wanted to ask him why he didn't consult with his customers before cutting the power, and futhermore, consult with me before attempting to fry my equipment. I also wanted to ask him if this is the kind of hospitality he extended to all of the performers at his venue, but I couldn't get a word in between him telling me to "f**k off" and calling me an "a$$hole".

After seeing that I wasn't going to be able to have a productive, professional conversation with this guy, I went back to packing up my stuff. To be fair, I guess at the point in the night he really had no reason to care about anybody in the place. Why should he? Salvage One already had thier money. My advice to DJ's, Bands and other Wedding performers in the Chicago area is to stay far away from dealing with anyone at this place.

**UPDATE - 10/6/09**

I recieved a call from Sara @ Salvage One today asking to talk to me about one of her employees being "shoved" the night of the wedding. I attempted to tell her my side of the story and all she wanted to do was tell me I was wrong for second guessing her employee when asked to cut the music. I don't even think we got to the point that nobody was pushed or shoved, but wrong or not, her employee acted unprofessionally and out of line, especially if customer service is the cornerstone of your business. She proceeded to tell me that I was "blacklisted" and they weren't going to work with me in the future, but I don't think I have to tell you I don't have plans to return.

This place is awesome if you are rehabbing your home, and want authentic pieces. You will be surprised at the stuff that you originally thought that was junk, but now are clammoring due to nostalgia. They have about four floors of nothing but lighting fixtures, tubs, wrought iron, etc. You will definitely spend a good portion of the afternoon just browsing. They even buy salvageable items. The prices are not cheap, but you pay for one of a kind items.

PROS: One of a kind items
CONS: Pricey

When stately old buildings die, they leave their best accents to this well-stocked architectural reclamation store. That includes everything from antique doorknobs and light fixtures to marble fireplaces, limestone columns, carved ornamental ...