Weinberg also noted that nearby companies have begun using her restaurants as meeting places, which she believes is part of a larger trend. “We never used to open our restaurants between lunch and dinner, because it didn’t seem worthwhile,” she explained. “But we do now because people use them for business meetings. They’d rather do it at our communal table, drinking a cocktail, than their offices.”
True story: in many ways, Indy Hall was born in a restaurant.
We were doing our touring Jelly community bootstrap process and looking for new places to hang out. A new restaurant had opened and I reached out to them: “hey, we’re a community of freelancers and entrepreneurs who work together once a week-ish. I know you’re technically closed during the day, but if anyone’s around doing biz tasks and we wouldn’t be in the way during your setup…I can promise you a captive audience for happy hour.”
They said yes, admitting me me later that other orgs had approached them but were too focused on wanting special deals and stuff. We wanted to help fill their barstools and they liked that.
That was the beginning of a long relationship with them, their staff, and their connection to the creative community that has made them a go-to hangout for so many people.
Weinberg also noted that nearby companies have begun using her restaurants as meeting places, which she believes is part of a larger trend. “We never used to open our restaurants between lunch and dinner, because it didn’t seem worthwhile,” she explained. “But we do now because people use them for business meetings. They’d rather do it at our communal table, drinking a cocktail, than their offices.”
Here in Grand Rapids, MI hotel lobbies have become a spot for business meetings and working away from the home or office. Restaurants feel much closer to coworking than lobbies since the appeal of the latter is they are nearly always empty and quiet.
-Laura
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On Friday, March 6, 2015 at 3:16:11 PM UTC-5, Steve King wrote:
Weinberg also noted that nearby companies have begun using her restaurants as meeting places, which she believes is part of a larger trend. “We never used to open our restaurants between lunch and dinner, because it didn’t seem worthwhile,” she explained. “But we do now because people use them for business meetings. They’d rather do it at our communal table, drinking a cocktail, than their offices.”
We at vaga.co have had several meetings or workshops booked in restaurants that open their doors in the morning hours (before lunch) or midday (in dinner-only restaurants). It is definitely great meeting space that is otherwise idle. And often there are people at the restaurant anyways (cleaning or prepping for the day).
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On Friday, March 6, 2015 at 3:16:11 PM UTC-5, Steve King wrote:
Weinberg also noted that nearby companies have begun using her restaurants as meeting places, which she believes is part of a larger trend. “We never used to open our restaurants between lunch and dinner, because it didn’t seem worthwhile,” she explained. “But we do now because people use them for business meetings. They’d rather do it at our communal table, drinking a cocktail, than their offices.”
I love this article and the conversations it sparks -- thanks so much for sharing! We at Workfrom.co have seen a rise in the number of restaurants shared as good solo & group work spots -- whether for that meeting or simply as a reliable place to squeeze in some work on your route home. More folks are also looking at whether a place serves food as a criteria when looking for a place to workfrom -- and I can only guess it's for many of the reasons shared in the article.