06/17/2026
A Venue with a Story
Your love story, celebration, or special event deserves a setting with a story of its own. At The Landmark, you’re not just booking a venue—you’re booking a piece of Casa Grande history. For more than a century, this iconic adobe building has served as a gathering place for the community, and today it continues that tradition by hosting unforgettable weddings, celebrations, corporate events, and special occasions. Every event held here becomes part of a story that has been unfolding for over 100 years.
The Landmark Event Center is housed in one of downtown Casa Grande’s most historic buildings. Originally constructed in 1907 as the G.W. Johnston Grocery Store, it remains one of the oldest surviving commercial buildings in the city and is one of only ten historic commercial adobe structures still standing today.
In 1935, owner G.W. Johnston was tragically robbed and murdered. Despite the loss, his son, Lester Johnston, continued operating the family business before eventually selling the property.
The building later became home to Casa Grande’s first self-service laundry, known as the “Help Yourself” Maytag Laundry, operated by John Oliver Wilson and his family. In 1959, Wilson’s daughter, Christine, opened a restaurant in the building, which evolved into Sofia’s Mexican Kitchen in 1961. For more than two decades, Sofia’s became a beloved local favorite, and its iconic neon sign remains a cherished symbol of downtown Casa Grande.
Following Sofia’s closure in 1982, the building housed several other restaurants before eventually sitting vacant and deteriorating over time.
In 2014, longtime Casa Grande resident Greg Serrano purchased the historic adobe building and began an extensive restoration project. With great care taken to preserve its original character and charm, the space was thoughtfully transformed into the beautiful event venue guests enjoy today.
Today, The Landmark Event Center, located at 301 N. Picacho Street, continues its legacy as a place where people gather to celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. From weddings and anniversaries to birthdays, reunions, and community events, The Landmark honors its rich history while creating lasting memories for future generations.
When you celebrate at The Landmark, you’re not only making memories—you’re becoming part of the next chapter in a story that began in 1907. ✨
