Carrboro’s common workspace set to go

To open Carrboro Creative Coworking, Chapel Hill resident Brian Russell used his own home as collateral.

“The goal was about developing a community and having resources for people to get along together,” Russell said. “I wanted a space for people who are involved in making things and who thrive in collaboration.”

Although the workspace — intended for professionals without an office who want their own space— won’t open until Oct. 1, writers, designers and engineers have begun reserving space.

The concept of coworking began in California when people working in homes, restaurants and coffee shops wanted a place to collaborate and work with other people.

Russell said he discovered coworking communities online and wanted to bring the informal business atmosphere to Carrboro.

On June 17, Russell posted “We’re in Business” on the Creative Coworking Web site after the Carrboro Board of Aldermen approved a $90,000 Carrboro Revolving Loan to help Russell establish the business, North Carolina’s first professional coworking space.

Last week, Russell welcomed those interested to view the building on Lloyd Street that will house Creative Coworking.

The inside of the building is still empty, but Russell thinks the loan approved by the Board of Aldermen will soon bring the office space to life.

He plans to outfit the space with printers, copiers, video equipment, a computer server, a television and all the coffee needed to burn the midnight oil.

“There is a great need for conference space, and I’m really trying not to nickel and dime people like normal conference spaces do,” Russell said. “I want people to have a chance to collaborate with each other.”

James Harris, Carrboro’s director of economic and community development, said the aldermen decided a coworking space would benefit local mobile workers.

“We saw it as a way to create jobs and add to the vitality of the community,” Harris said. “The idea met the criteria of the loan, which we usually use for day cares, restaurants and clothing stores.”

Those who plan to use Carrboro Creative Coworking have already begun renting both larger rooms for conference-style work and individual offices. Russell plans to rent desks, offices and rooms for a wide variety of prices.

At full capacity, the business will house 41 full-time, part-time and hourly workers. Russell said he also will hire eight other full-time workers to run the office building.

Raines Cohen, a coworking expert from Berkeley, Calif., said he visited Carrboro earlier this year and thinks Russell couldn’t have chosen a better location for his project.

“There has been a lot of coworking based around college towns,” Cohen said. “Anywhere that has people interested in working together and building a community usually has the keys for success.”



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