Art’s Place began its story as a paint factory in 1912. Gustave F. Nemitz founded G. F. Nemitz & Son as business where carriages, automobiles, and signs were painted in the shop. Over time, glass and wallpaper departments were added. Nemitz wallpaper is still hanging in many Hutchinson homes.

In 1950 they began manufacturing paint. After nearly 50 years, Gustave sold his company to his daughter Adela & her husband, Arthur J Benjamin. His son, Arthur Benjamin Jr., eventually took over the business. In 2012, they celebrated their 100th anniversary of the business. Art’s tools, equipment, floors and shelving are a window on the company’s long history. Many of these items have been preserved and can be viewed at the McLeod County Historical Society or on the Scavenger hunt through Art’s Place.

A local investment group purchased the property from Art and Linda Benjamin with the hope of preserving the building. Once the decision was made to restore the building, the name “Art’s Place” was adopted. The name encompasses Art’s name as a historical character of the community while playing with the term as an artsy historic gathering place.

Kayla and Valerie founded Compass Occasions in 2014. They first toured the Nemitz building in 2018 and opened Art’s Place as an event venue in 2020, bringing celebrations into this historic space.

In December 2025, Reyna Serna and Hector Euceda became the new owners of Compass Occasions. Today, they continue welcoming weddings, private gatherings, and community events at Art’s Place while honoring the venue’s history.