Hello, everyone, I have learned a lot from reading the discussions of this group.
I am a coffee shop owner of 4 years with more space than I can support on the price of take-out coffee. We have a nicely restored old space, coffee from an outstanding local roaster, fresh baked goods, breakfast and soup, and protected wifi. The room adjacent to the main room is about 19X18 feet, with a smaller, conference-type room about 8X12 feet. This is a wonderful place to work and have events, but it is time to put it to a more intentional, revenue-producing purpose. I would like to put in about 6 work tables, 48X30 inches with power andtask lighting, and keep our large old lab table in the center. A partition that separates but doesn't suffocate would separate the spaces, and we can furnish printer/copier and fax machine. There is a copy shop 4 blocks away. We would offer a membership package, a drop- in option, and something bigger where desired. I like the coworking idea, and especially like the ability of potential coworkers to find us online. We get good reviews both from the many freelancers who live nearby, and the sales and tech people who find us while they are in-town. Here's the challenge: The aspect of a great coffee shop in which to work is completely different from a workspace that is rented by the hour (coffee included). I think that most all the writers and job- hunters (wonderful, faithful customers all) will choose to work and meet in the now slightly cozier coffee shop. I feel the new arrangement is a definite value (knowing that it is still offered below the cost of renting, airconditioning, cleaning and staffing it), yet encounter daily the "if it's free today, why must I pay tomorrow?" question. We do not have the traffic flow of places a half-mile away; we rely on an honest and open relationship with our neighbors. Does anyone have thoughts on this transition? --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---