Roberto Torres, of Black & Denim clothing, and Chris Devitt, of Fortenberry leather goods, will host an open house for COwork Ybor on Thursday, October 23rd, from 10am to 4pm. Both are working to promote the upcoming shared workspace development as a community for creatives, not a static annex to the neighboring coffee and tea shop.
Elements of the unfinished space will be available to poke, prod, and sample, like tables and chairs by Built, Buddy Brew Coffee flights, TeBella Tea, and Piquant treats. All will be perks of membership for early adopters of this concept that is not new to Tampa, but new to Ybor City and unique in its execution.
1901 Seventh Avenue has changed quite a bit since I held my pop-up shop there two months ago…
The two have developed a mission statement that clarifies their goal: to engage creative entrepreneurs and professionals in need of a place to be productive, collaborate with peers, learn in programmed workshops and open forums, and share an experience.
“We are passionate, adventurous, approachable, and eclectic — not to mention visionaries, ground-breakers, go-getters, and mold-busters. Are you one of us?”
Coworking is not a foreign concept to Tampa, and not one that many find challenging to adopt. However, the active role of the space, to curate content and stimulate creation, takes the idea a step further.
Roberto’s vision is clear, his objectives lofty. However, his quest for quality drives him, and the careful consideration he has put into the space’s look and function will serve its members’ needs and desires, and justify the $100 monthly membership fee.
Cowork Ybor streetcar logo
Part of the appeal will be small group work areas, high speed internet and telephone/fax/copy facilities, as well as a conference room with A/V and a projector.
In time, he hopes there will be a healthy waiting list past the cap of ~50 creatives. In Tampa, and especially in Ybor City, he may easily surpass that, given the golden combination of convenience, coffee (/tea), and community. And the myriad freelance / entrepreneurs who populate the area.
Visit COwork Ybor on Thursday, October 23rd from 10am to 4pm at 1901 East Seventh Avenue in Ybor City. And, look for more updates here as the grand opening inches closer.
