3rd Location for BEAHIVE, Collaborative Space for Work and Community
'Open Hive' Orientation Event - Wed, Feb 8
A new kind of collaborative space for work and community is coming soon to Downtown Albany at 418 Broadway. BEAHIVE is in part inspired by a growing worldwide movement in collaboration called "coworking," where people work in a shared space, alone and together.
The original BEAHIVE — the first such space in the Hudson Valley — opened in May 2009 in the heart of Beacon's (NY) Main Street and a second swarmed to Kingston later that winter. The Albany hive is scheduled to accept members by March 1 and is a partnership with real estate agents TL Metzger & Associates.
An orientation to introduce the space and the idea behind it to the public, dubbed "Open Hive," will be held Wednesday, February 8.
OPEN HIVE / Orientation + Gathering Wed., Feb. 8, 5:30 – 7PM BEAHIVE 418 Broadway, Albany, NY RSVP: (518) 426-5211, sam@tlmetzger.com Details
The original coworking spaces were started by nomadic internet entrepreneurs seeking an alternative to working in coffee shops and cafes or to isolation in independent or home offices.
At the most basic level, the membership-driven BEAHIVE provides a shared, creative work environment for entrepreneurs, the creative class, microbusinesses and consultants. Memberships start at $20/month and range to $350/month for full-time access and your own permanent desk. Non-member day passes are available for $25.
"Given the importance of small business in growing our local economy, I really wanted to create an environment where we can help each other grow our business, generate new ideas and build new relationships," said Tracy Metzger of TL Metzger & Associates. "We expect to have members not only from Albany but also surrounding towns — Troy, Rensselaer, Colonie and beyond."
BEAHIVE also plans personal and professional development workshops and social and cultural events to inspire, educate and bond members — and ultimately, contribute to the larger community. The space is also available to rent for events, parties, workshops and group meetings, with flexible rates depending on the use.
"We’re more than desks and wi-fi and printers," points out BEAHIVE founder Scott Tillitt, who also runs Antidote Collective, a socially conscious communications practice. "We're building a community of members from diverse backgrounds with a range of creative and technical talents and a desire to improve our professional lives, our personal lives and our communities in the greater Hudson Valley."
"Expanding to Albany will grow our community of members and our physical presence, and allow us to better support the growing creative class and microbusinesses in the Hudson Valley," Tillitt adds. "Ultimately we’ll play a bigger role in shaping a Local Living Economy in the region. Our members will collaborate on projects that will have some impact on our communities. Like an incubator with a social mission."
The timing is right for such a space. Many economists agree that record unemployment has and will continue to drive more people into self-employment, as has happened during past recessions. Meanwhile, New York State already has one of the largest populations of microbusinesses (fewer than five employees) in the nation, according to statistics published by the Small Business Association (SBA).
Contact: Scott Tillitt, BEAHIVE - (917) 449-6356, scott@beahivebzzz.com Tracy Metzger, TL Metzger & Associates - (518) 426-5211, tracy@tlmetzger.com
Note: BEAHIVE is a project of Antidote Collective.