By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Hudson – As Hudson undergoes an economic resurgence with a number of new restaurants and stores opening in the past year, two local entrepreneurs, Marc Avila and Lysa Miller, are hopeful others will want to join them in their new “coworking space,” the Lofts on Felton.
Avila is the founder and Miller, a partner and vice president of sales and marketing at 3 Media Web, a custom web development company. Prior to their move this year to Hudson, Avila had an office in Westborough and Miller was based in Fitchburg. When they decided to join forces, moving into the building located at 7 Felton St. made sense for many reasons, they said.
“We wanted to be in a place where there is a lot of positive energy and close to a lot of other restaurants and businesses, but also has easy access from major highways,” Miller said.
Downtown Hudson offers that, Avila noted, but without the hassle of driving into cities like Boston and its accompanying traffic headaches.
“When we first checked out this spot, I knew right away this was where I wanted to be,” he added. “There’s so much great stuff going on here in the downtown.”
The Victorian-style building is located off the routes 62 and 85 rotary on Main Street. As such, it is an easy, convenient walk to many of the downtown’s restaurants and businesses, as well as plenty of municipal parking.
Two local entrepreneurs, Michael Kasseris and Karim El-Gamal, the proprietors of nearby restaurants Rail Trail Flatbread Co. and New City Microcreamery, currently own the building. It also has an important connection to Hudson’s past – it was once the office where the late Mass. Gov. Paul Cellucci practiced law.
While the building, which was built in the early 1900s, has gone through a complete renovation inside, much of its original Victorian charm remains. The wide-pine floors have all been restored and French and sliding doors have been installed in the upstairs, creating a clean and open ambience. Beautiful high ceilings, fireplaces and period chandeliers are a nod to the building’s early roots.
The outside of the building will soon undergo renovations as well.
“We are hoping to attract other like-minded entrepreneurs such as ourselves who are looking for a great spot where they can have privacy but also be close to other businesses,” Miller said. “This can offer them the opportunity to meet others who they may be able to collaborate with on projects, too.”
Full co-working memberships are now being offered at $500-$750 per month. The cost includes a private office that can fit between three to four employees and is furnished or unfurnished. Co-renting the space with another business is another option. This membership allows for access to the event workspace (when available) and to the building’s full-sized kitchen.
The company is also offering memberships for $250 per month. That allows one access to collaborative workspaces for up to 25 hours per week. It also allows access to a private office five hours per month (upon availability) for phone calls or a private meeting. Those who choose this membership also have access to the event workspace (when available) and the kitchen.
This area features a team collaborative workspace, full conference room that seats eight, a smaller one that seats six, idea paint walls and a large screen TV.
“We will also offer the space for others to rent for private events, such as if a professional like a tax planner wanted to host a class of their own,” she said.
Miller said it is important for 3 Media to not just be in the community but to also be an active member of the community as well.
“We really want to support other local businesses such as using local caterers for our events or taking clients to nearby restaurants for meetings,” she said.
They also plan to host events at their building such as meet-ups, networking events, training sessions for such things as WordPress and SEO and feature guest speakers in its event space.
For more information, visit www.coworkhudson.com or email [email protected].