A few of us met at the Caribou Coffee in Roseville and had some good discussions around whether or not the Coffee Shop CoWorking model had legs enough to stand on its own or was only an add-on to the traditional coworking space, a satellite office if you will. The Coffee Shop CoWorking Model is interesting because it addresses the two biggest problems with coworking. 1. Price and 2. Proximity.

Price is significantly lower due to the small footprint of the space (120 sq. ft. to  216 sq. ft.) and the fact that the space only holds 1 large table 8+ chairs, a wipe board and a multifunctional copy machine. This allows cost to be $25-$50 a month as opposed to $175-$400 a month.

Proximity, with the proliferation of coffee shops in every neighborhood there is bound to be a coffee shop, restaurant, bar or office complex from which the neighborhood could glean space.

Anywho, would love to hear peoples thoughts on the viability of the Coffee Shop CoWorking Space.

Thanks, Stephen Filing

Another example of third places people work from that are getting inundated by overuse and squatters. Again this bodes well for the Coworking movement. We as Americans are notorious for finding a good thing and squeezing the life out of it like Lenny and the bunny from Of Mice and Men. People that stay 3+ hours at a coffee shop buying a single cup of coffee for $2 know they are  abusing the coffee shops generosity and one day when too many people take advantage there is always a backlash and you are seeing some of it. This is not to say what the appropriate time at any establishment is but when overuse, abuse or squatting pushes too hard the business owner will have to push back and that ends up hurting everybody.

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_13592128

It’s been a few weeks since I was able to attend the Wednesday coworking sessions. It was good to get back into the swing of things today and find out how things are progressing.

The biggest news official news is that Steve got his Certificate of Organization from the Secretary of State of State. It may not seem like much, but it is the first step in making Twin Cities Coworking a real business and not just a bunch of us sitting around Steve’s dining room table once a week.

Most of the conversation centered on possible locations for expanded coworking options — longer hours, larger space, more amenities. Price and proximity. In other words, he’s looking for something where people want to work that won’t bleed him dry.

Options

The “downtown option” (a commercially designed office space on the skyways of Downtown Minneapolis) is still on the table, but Steve is also looking into other models. He is looking at a “coffeeshop model” and some residential space on University and 280. Oh, and let’s not forget the hostel in Costa Rica.

The point is, while Twin Cities Coworking is a work in progress, there is definitely progress. Property is being vetted; options are being weighed; hoops are being jumped through.

TCCW Connections

Most importantly, connections are being made. During the few short hours I was there today, someone’s website was updated. Someone else got business advice. Someone else learned how to read their Google Analytics report. When you freelance (okay, when I freelance) it’s feels like you need to do it all. And you can’t. But when you sit across for a web guy or an accountant or a business lawyer, you find that what stumped you is a breeze to someone else.

For me, it’s those connections that will make Twin Cities Coworking a success. Amenities are nice. Location is important. And price, well, yeah. But you can get those at your local coffee or copy shop. You can’t get a network of trusted colleagues with your mocha. I am confident that wherever we end up, we’ll make it work.

We have Twin Cities Coworking Open Forum meetings every Wednesday from 12 to 5pm. We will be discussing the latest developments, thoughts, and challenges, come for an hour or stay all day.

We are currently in late stage discussions with property management companies, getting bids and specs on buildout of the space, writing up all of the associated legal documents one must do for a venture of this type, and much more.

This is the time where, if you would like input into how this all turns out, it is critical that you come to one of these meeting or send us a message.

We welcome any and all newcomers. In fact, at this stage of the game, we almost prefer them. Please help us make coworking a reality in MSP!

Location: 756 Dayton #2
Saint Paul, MN 55104

Map: http://bit.ly/kQQH5

Also, please be sure to fill out the survey so we know what people are looking for in coworking: http://bit.ly/O5nsI