Coworking spaces COVID-19 response has varied, with some adapting to new health guidelines by adding plants, declaring no handshake zones, and banning visitors, while others have seen a decline in attendance. Despite these challenges, the leaders of coworking spaces like Percolator, IncuHub, and Gather remain optimistic about the future, believing the pandemic may result in a boom for their industry as more people discover the benefits of remote work. These coworking spaces are not just about providing a physical workspace, but are also about fostering a sense of community and collaboration among members, which they believe will draw people back once the crisis is over.
Adapting to the Crisis
Adding plants. Declaring no handshake zones. Banning visitors. These are some of the ways local coworking spaces are adapting to a coronavirus crisis that has made working from home the “new normal” for many people.
Percolator’s Response
Inside Business spoke with several local coworking hubs to see how they — and their members — are coping with the national health crisis and resulting state mandates.
Bobby Wright, president of Percolator in downtown Norfolk, said attendance has been down significantly. Percolator has three campuses — Grandy and Monticello (both office and coworking) and Ford (currently offering restaurant takeout).
“They’re checking in, periodically coming by to get their mail and say hi,” Wright said. “We’re all relationship beings, and we miss being around (each other), especially in a community like Percolator which is so driven by collaboration.”
IncuHub’s Approach
Marko Frigelj opened IncuHub, a month-to-month membership-based coworking entrepreneurship center, in Portsmouth last June.
“Everything is more or less status quo in the sense of membership,” Frigelj said. “We’ve had a few members drop, but we had a wait list for offices, which we were able to fall back on and back fill those offices.”
Gather’s Response
James Crenshaw has been a managing partner for Gather since it opened six years ago in Richmond. Last year it expanded to the Hampton Roads market with spaces in Norfolk and Newport News, and a third is scheduled to open in Virginia Beach this summer.
“We’ve been hosting a lot of events, and they’ve been very active spaces since we opened up,” Crenshaw said. “But, since COVID has come along, priorities have shifted and people’s lives have changed … and we’re not experiencing the same interest we were during our normal months.”
Members’ Perspectives
Beth Hester, managing creative at The Beth Hester Media Group, became a member at IncuHub in September because she craved a community.
And it is that camaraderie – spontaneous hilarity; concentrated group work ethic; diversity; and contagious community spirit – that she now misses most of all.
Caroline Beasley, a CPA with Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund, spent six months working remotely from home before she found the work environment she needed at Gather in November.
“Coming into the office — which is what I call it now — makes me feel like I’m actually contributing more to everything,” Beasley said.
Looking Ahead
The owners of these coworking spaces agree that there could be a silver lining to this dark cloud.
“I think as a result of this crisis people will have discovered that this remote thing actually works,” Frigelj said. “The world is moving in that direction anyway.”
Crenshaw said many companies may now be more comfortable with people working away from central offices.
“In some ways,” Wright said, “we feel that this virus, once we can get back together, is going to contribute to a boom growth in what we’re doing. Our people found us because a lot folks were looking for a desk or a mailbox or an office, but it’s not the reason they stay.”
The community and relationships are ultimately the driving engines of coworking spaces, and Wright said they are expecting good times to return and are busy preparing for it.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-222-5356, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com
Question & Answer
How are coworking spaces adapting to the COVID-19 crisis?
Coworking spaces are adapting by adding plants, declaring no handshake zones, and banning visitors to comply with health guidelines.
What is Percolator’s response to the pandemic?
Percolator has seen a significant decline in attendance but remains optimistic about the future, emphasizing the importance of community and collaboration.
How has IncuHub been affected by the crisis?
IncuHub has experienced a few members dropping but has managed to maintain its membership through a waitlist for offices.
What is Gather’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Gather has seen a decrease in interest and activity due to the shifting priorities and lives of people during the crisis.
