Co-working location in EAV?

[Bret]

Hello friends.

My name is Bret, I've been around the village for a couple years now, as well recently moved in (stokeswood represent )

I run my own web development, social media management, search engine optimization business, currently out of my home.

I have no interest in leasing a space of my own for this business as all of my employees are able to work virtually.

What I have become more and more interested in is the idea of co-working spaces. There are a couple here in Atlanta(Strongbox West, HUB ATL), both of which are on the west side of town. As well there is a really fantastic location called ROAM up in Alpharetta(no way)

The idea is the co-working location offers up business amenities so that you can either drop in whenever and pay a small fee to utilize the space, or have some kind of membership fee monthly to allow full access.

Have a couple small 'meeting' rooms complete with presentation screens, conferencing, etc.

The village already offers a ton of options for food so there would really be no need to for a 'cafe' or anything.

Anyways, I am curious of the interest of others local to the EAV in a place like this. Currently our only option is Joes. While I love LOVE Joes, it isn't necessarily the best place to escape the house and get some work done. You get wifi, but there is but one desk. There is no other business amenities available there.

I do not think this operation would have to be very big, especially at first, but there are a couple really good spots that are available for lease right here.

Has anyone been talking about this already? If so can you point me in their direction?

If not, let's talk about it. I would love to be a part of it and help out in any way.

How do you feel about co-working?

How many of you are working from home/self employed in the village?

 

[Flower Lady]

The flat roofed building they are currently renovating would have been the perfect modern space for this. I was thinking it would have been great to have two meeting rooms in front (one small, one large) and two community professional rental kitchens in the back: a "regular" one and a very small "special diets only" kitchen because I don't think there is a gluten free baking space for community use in Atlanta.

It would be a very large investment for someone because in general, rents are rather expensive in the EAV.

I think for now, if you need it you can put aside the meeting room in the library for yourself, but I don' t know what amenities they offer.

[LClayton]

The old Macy's on Peachtree that they just renovated is doing this, I believe.

http://www.200-office.com/

[latter_day_hipp]

I wonder if this is something that would fit in one of the second-story office spaces at Ormewood Square?

I am not sure what Cartel is getting in rent though, so it might be too expensive to be feasible.

[mongo]

There is also one near City Hall East in Midtown...   

https://www.ignitionalley.com/

The old Macy's on Peachtree that they just renovated is doing this, I believe.

http://www.200-office.com/

[Cap'n Ken]

I love the idea, and I'm somebody who works out of my house - but I'm only working part of the day during normal hours. Those hours will grow as my kid does.

The question, obviously, is where and how you get something like this going. As mentioned, there are places outside the Village but I think Bret's focus is one I like - actually bringing those of us here in EAV together ... here in EAV.

Thinking about potential spots - is there any space open in the old library? There's the "bakery" on Flat Shoals that's going to be a tough restaurant conversion and tough for anyplace that needs visibility and parking. Maybe part of the salon that used to be Kingfisher / Blue Sombrero is not being used? Any upstairs space in the SunTrust building?

I think for the kind of thing being talked about there would need to be a reasonable and visionary property owner involved (thus I shall not speak of Abe Asher spaces that are open). Somebody who might see value in giving up currently-unused space for essentially free until such time as somebody wants to invest in a business there. Likely? I dunno. But I'd think any reasonable property owner (again, I won't mention Abe) would at least see the value in having space occupied and more people in the Village during the day, especially if they have other properties and understand the rising-tide concept.

[mongo]

Agreed.  I currently work out of my home and I visited several of these spots about a year ago when I first started my business and was impressed with what I saw. I ultimately decided not to go that route right out of the gate as they either were too far for what I needed or they had no open memberships (Ignition Alley was full and not accepting new members when I visited them. They have since moved into a  new larger building. Their old one was literally next door to the Clermont Lounge), but there are some days now when I think it would have been a good idea.

 Having something like this in the village proper would be awesome and bring in all kinds of new customers to the current businesses in the area (I would think particularly for the restaurants and the copy center).

The old Masonic Lodge on Moreland would be a great space for this kind of project, as would the building across from SoBa that used to be the "Blendz"  hair salon.

I love the idea, and I'm somebody who works out of my house - but I'm only working part of the day during normal hours. Those hours will grow as my kid does.

The question, obviously, is where and how you get something like this going. As mentioned, there are places outside the Village but I think Bret's focus is one I like - actually bringing those of us here in EAV together ... here in EAV.

Thinking about potential spots - is there any space open in the old library? There's the "bakery" on Flat Shoals that's going to be a tough restaurant conversion and tough for anyplace that needs visibility and parking. Maybe part of the salon that used to be Kingfisher / Blue Sombrero is not being used? Any upstairs space in the SunTrust building?

I think for the kind of thing being talked about there would need to be a reasonable and visionary property owner involved (thus I shall not speak of Abe Asher spaces that are open). Somebody who might see value in giving up currently-unused space for essentially free until such time as somebody wants to invest in a business there. Likely? I dunno. But I'd think any reasonable property owner (again, I won't mention Abe) would at least see the value in having space occupied and more people in the Village during the day, especially if they have other properties and understand the rising-tide concept.

[ratpack]

the "bakery" on Flat Shoals

that was the first place that i thought of too but would require a complete remodel from the ground up to get it ready to occupy.  the blue sombrero building would have likely been the easiest from a upfront cost standpoint as it was already somewhat built out for an office environment and was large enough for both meeting space and desks.  obviously with it being converted to yet another eav salon that is no longer the case or an option.

[soccer6]

Too bad the copy center doesn't have space they could expand into and implement this in.

[Cap'n Ken]

the "bakery" on Flat Shoals

that was the first place that i thought of too but would require a complete remodel from the ground up to get it ready to occupy.  the blue sombrero building would have likely been the easiest from a upfront cost standpoint as it was already somewhat built out for an office environment and was large enough for both meeting space and desks.  obviously with it being converted to yet another eav salon that is no longer the case or an option.

Whachoo talkin' 'bout? I figure some bolt cutters, extension cords, power strips, lamps, "enhanced" wifi receiver and card tables and chairs is about all you need there.

[MRice]

Didn't I just read somewhere that the person who bought the old printer repair shop is looking for others to share the space?
There's also that former store at McPherson and Eastside that apparently is profitable vacant because of the billboard on its side.

[Cap'n Ken]

Didn't I just read somewhere that the person who bought the old printer repair shop is looking for others to share the space?

Missed that. Was that said on the Buzz?

[Opti1]

Didn't SouthStar have a sign hanging where iLounge-around-in-a-communal-bed is now a few years back? Coming Soon: EAV Business Development Center, or something?

 I love the idea. Implementation could get a little spotty (who staffs/changes the toner cartridges when you're ramping up membership?), but the idea that the Copy Center could maintain the space and membership as an extension of their business seems attractive (to me, anyway; not sure if they're up for it).

[Cap'n Ken]

Didn't SouthStar have a sign hanging where iLounge-around-in-a-communal-bed is now a few years back? Coming Soon: EAV Business Development Center, or something?

 I love the idea. Implementation could get a little spotty (who staffs/changes the toner cartridges when you're ramping up membership?), but the idea that the Copy Center could maintain the space and membership as an extension of their business seems attractive (to me, anyway; not sure if they're up for it).

Apparently SouthStar has a Colo with Sopo

[MRice]

Didn't I just read somewhere that the person who bought the old printer repair shop is looking for others to share the space?

Missed that. Was that said on the Buzz?

Just found it. Front page of latest Porch Press. Says Clinton Raines Jr. starting a State Farm office, planned to open before April 15 and he has an additional 800 square feet for lease.