Co-Work at The Commons: An Uncommon Workplace

“I suppose if you had to choose just one quality to have that would be it. Vitality.  ― A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House,” by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

The window signs this fall in the in-process renovation at 540 Lake Street in Excelsior, Minn., talked about a new thing coming called The Commons: An Uncommon Workplace, a new place for entrepreneurs and people who are self-employed to come together and “co-work.”

Interesting concept.

I’m a self-employed writer and while I love having my independence, I need the energy of being around people to stimulate my creativity, motivation and self-discipline. Oftentimes, I’ll go to my local coffee shop. Before you know it, I’ve spent $20 because I feel guilty taking a table for four hours. Sometimes, I’ll go to the Minnesota Arboretum. Beautiful place, but I prefer to work at a table other than the cafeteria ones offered. And again, I feel guilty in my movable office if I stay too long.

Early in November 2012, I stopped in to visit The Commons that opened mid-October. I was met at the door by Tammy Magney, who co-owns this brilliant place along with her sister Peggy Stefan. As  I looked around the space, my eyes fell upon . . . vitality.

Tammy, who worked in commercial architecture for 35 years, has created a stimulating and creative space in which to: work, contemplate, hold meetings and to surround oneself with other creative types in business for themselves. The Commons is an oxygenated place that combines visually stimulating structure, lighting, and because one is surrounded by their “co-workers,” a highly-motivating work environment too.

Work spaces are varied. In the main commons area, one can work while standing, at a co-working station or in cozy places. Four meeting room places available to rent can accommodate groups of up to 50 people and the entire space is available to host a product launch or a festive gathering.  It’s not only a renovated space, it a place that renovates your creative soul. It’s a place that makes you want to “do work,” and do it well. It’s a genius concept and a much-needed interactive co-working place.

I love their mission statement:

“Bringing together people doing completely different work, sharing space and benefitting greatly from the collision of ideas and perspectives.”

According to The Commons’s YouTube trailer (done well and worth your time, I might add), the average size of office cubes has shrunk from 500 to 200 square feet, and the number of entrepreneurs has grown 400 percent in the past two years. What’s lacking, according to the video, is social interaction and a feeling of disconnectedness with other businesses. What “co-working” offers, is a “collaborative community,” a feeling of connectedness and “accelerated serendipity.”

Call Tammy or Peggy at 952-474-1001 or visit their Website at www.TheCommonsWP.com to learn more about this vital new way to do your work. And while you’re at it, visit The Commons’ Facebook Page or visit them on Twitter: @TheCommonsWP.