About The Harriet Event Venue
A New Chapter in Celebration
Once home to Saddlebock Brewery, the first distribution brewery in Northwest Arkansas, the property naturally began to take on a new role. While the brewery cultivated a loyal following, its remote location made day-to-day operations challenging. Over time, something unexpected happened: friends, families, and colleagues began requesting the space for private gatherings.
What started as occasional celebrations quickly revealed a deeper opportunity. As Northwest Arkansas continued to grow and demand for event venues outpaced availability, the vision for The Harriet Event Venue was born—a dedicated private venue designed to host celebrations of every kind.
Meet the Owners
Tom Sarna and Emily Arnoult are proud to call Northwest Arkansas home. Emily has been a local dentist, and Tom is a practicing oral surgeon with deep roots in the community. Together, they share a passion for creating a space that feels welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to all.
Their own wedding celebration planned by a close friend and wedding planner Gretchen Larkan of Gretchen Larkan Events was held at the newly transformed venue. That experience helped solidify the vision for The Harriet as a place where people can create meaningful memories in a space that feels both elevated and personal.
Tom’s fluency in Spanish and connection to Latin culture further shape The Harriet’s inclusive spirit. With a growing family and strong community ties, Emily and Tom are committed to offering a venue that welcomes celebrations of all kinds.
The Heart Behind the Name
The Harriet Event Venue is named in honor of The Harriet O’Neal, an enduring source of inspiration and strength to co-owner Emily. The Harriet embodied unconditional love, perseverance, and self-reliance, believing deeply in doing things with care and intention.
Those values became the foundation of The Harriet. With no formal construction background, Emily took on the transformation of the space herself, assembling a team of local tradesmen and partners to bring the vision to life. Interior designer Beau Jones of The Vibe Interiors helped elevate the space, blending refined design with timeless character, including the now-signature black barn exterior.
Inspired by The Harriet’s love of gardening, the outdoor grounds were thoughtfully landscaped, and roses now bloom at the center of the venue in her honor, a living tribute to the woman whose resilience and love continue to shape the spirit of the space.
A Space Designed for Connection
The Harriet Event Venue operates as a true blank-canvas venue, allowing hosts the freedom to bring their own vendors, vision, and style. By keeping the space flexible and approachable, The Harriet is able to welcome a wide range of celebrations, each as unique as the people hosting them.
While the venue may continue to evolve over time, its heart will always remain the same: a simple, welcoming place where people come together to celebrate life’s meaningful moments.
