The Perfect Space

The Venue in St. Augustine

By Robert Waldner

Karl and Brenda Baird have built their life and businesses on the foundations of nurturing relationships and investing in their community. Married in 2012, the couple spent their first four years together living in Karl’s home state of Indiana. “We lived in an old, rural home with a big, beautiful barn,” says Brenda. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Brenda spent her adult life living and working in Jacksonville. “I lived there until I was thirty seven years old,” she says. “I had a lot of exposure to St. Augustine in those years. It reminded me of San Juan and my childhood.” During the couple’s trips back to Florida, Karl fell in love with St. Augustine as well. An orthopedic surgeon by trade, the Ancient City’s eclectic vibe enticed his creative nature. “He is a talented writer and a lover of art, words, and history,” explains Brenda. “We felt that the Lord was calling us to St. Augustine.”

Sharing their deep sense of faith and desire to make new connections in St. Augustine, Karl and Brenda bought and restored an old Lincolnville home between 2015 and 2016. “Karl left his orthopedic practice in Indiana and we committed fully to this community,” she emphasizes. The couple spent the next eight years investing in and remodelling the rental properties they still own and manage today in downtown St. Augustine and Crescent Beach. During those years, they felt the nudge to focus on their next big dream. “Our heart for hospitality led us to the desire of owning an events venue,” expresses Brenda. “We wanted to take our passion for fostering relationships and extend it further into our community.”

In 2023, Karl and Brenda found the perfect space to begin their latest venture in St. Augustine’s uptown neighborhood. Simply and elegantly titled, ‘The Venue in St. Augustine’ sits beautifully nestled on Sanchez Avenue. “We spent a year and a half remodelling,” says Brenda. “It was a labor of love.” Tastefully designed for intimate and corporate gatherings, The Venue in St. Augustine is charming and versatile.

During the day, the space transforms into ‘Cowork St. Augustine’, where creatives and business professionals can collaborate in a tasteful and calm shared-space environment. “We love to see people use our space for their business, artistic, and academic work,” says Brenda. She concludes, “Whether for an intimate gathering or for daily work, we believe the most meaningful moments rarely need more space, only the right one. Everything we have created is rooted in love for St. Augustine and a desire to be a source of encouragement, beauty, and a blessing to the people who live, work, and celebrate here.”

For more information visit www.thevenuesta.com, email thevenuesta@gmail.com or call (765) 238-8309

"Loving Our Town" March 6, 2026