TOTOWA — A decade and at least $25 million later, The Chariot, a seven-story event space on Preakness Avenue, is ready to open its doors.

After years of waiting, the catering hall and restaurant facility finally received its certificate of occupancy last week, said owner Paul Qassis.

The reimagined and made-over event space morphed out of the former architectural curiosity that once was home to Ottilio V & Sons Contractors.

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On Dec. 17, The Chariot will host the first of what Qassis said he hopes to be a long and prosperous run.

"We just got started booking three or four days ago," Qassis said. The Chariot's first event will be a party of 70, which, given the fact that it is permitted to hold 670 people, seems a bit understated. Qassis, however, sai

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