The Charles Mack Citizen Center

exorbitant $500 outsourcing fee. I was a bit apprehensive about this to begin with, but I was reassured that this caterer (Bouk) was the best, both in terms of food and customer service. I wish I could say the food was good, but in two months I was never even able to schedule a tasting with them. The communication was poor and it seemed like the only time I heard from the caterer with any concrete information was after I brought my complaints to the citizen's center. I put my complaints in writing and forwarded them to the center and when I asked if we could rearrange the reservation so that we could still have our ceremony in the garden and have our reception elsewhere (so that I didn't have to cancel the whole thing), I was basically gently encouraged to cancel and "move forward with a different option." Essentially I was being told that everyone (including the supervisor) thought it would be best for me not to have any part of my wedding at the Mack Center. I couldn't believe how unwelcoming that felt. It appears that the caterer's busy schedule took precendnt over a satisfied customer...a bride-to-be no less. Although they basically gave me no options on how to resolve the situation outside of cancelling, they still processed the cancellation with the 50% rent fee. Although I realize this is the contact I signed and their standard policy, they didn't even apologize. No effort made to help. Honestly, I'm sure the Mack Center would have been a great venue. The staff was great...at the beginning. But since they have changed their policy it seems like they may be willing to jeopardize their reputation with customers to preserve their new relationship with Bouk catering. There are a lot of other wonderful venues in the Charlotte and Lake Norman areas that are affordable and give you options for catering...that way, if you don't have a good experience with one, you are not blacklisted from the venue all together.