What Happens When the Employees Leave

Closing!  Another restaurant on the south-side of Fort Wayne will close in February.   When Casa’s on Fairfield made the announcement, it was closing on the 20th, its leadership did not blame the moderate-income neighborhood, they blamed the fact  Lutheran Hospital left the neighborhood in 1992, which caused its revenue to decline over the last 17 years.

When the hospital pulled out of the neighborhood, not only did the doctors, nurses and patients leave, the administration staff, consultants and visitors left - the ones that were more likely to have the time to eat out for lunch. The shear amount of staff at this location, and the relocation to Aboite, made a large  impact on the whole area.  The problem is not that the hospital left, but the fact that the shear volume of employees were not replaced . Employees that eat out at lunch, go out after dinner or grab a boxed meal to go.     Within the last two years another worker exodus has occurred as Taylor University-Fort Wayne shuttered last year, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic relocated to IPFW.

While Fort Wayne has tried to rebuild housing stock, officials have not rebuilt the business stock    Workers have the need to go out at lunch,  to construct business deals, relax at lunch or just get a way from office buzz; whereas most parents don’t want to go home, bundle their children up and eat out, then return home and complete housework and bedtime routines.

Therefore, as coworking comes to fruition in Fort Wayne, there is the likelihood that more than one individual, will be able to outgrow OurSpace, and relocate to another building downtown, or surrounding neighborhood.   With that business relocation, there will be employees who will need eat at lunch and a to-go box at dinner.    This is when Fort Wayne’s neighborhoods, closest to downtown, can have eateries that thrive.

Weekend Poll

Forgoing my $1.75 “rent” for a toasted bagel to sit at a cafe and write, I accepted an invitation last week to visit thehive at 55, one of the many shared work spaces for freelancers that have popped up during our recession hangover. Fancy digs. Lounge. Conference room. Thirteen-story view of downtown Manhattan. I could get used to this.

With more laid-off and independent workers seeking an alternative to doing business at home, the number of co-working offices has increased by 60% in the past year to more than 200 nationwide, according to Steve King from the trendspotting firm Emergent Research.
Although not as cheap as a coffee shop, the fees are reasonable, the surroundings more professional, and you’re in like-minded company, King said. And Wi-Fi is free.

Table rent in Fort Wayne, consisting of a bagel and a hot beverage  from $2.50 (bagel and expresso) at Higher Ground’s to $2.80 (bagel and coffee) at Firefly House to $3.73 (hot chocolate and bagel) at Starbucks.  Although the monthly membership cost may be a bit cheaper than the OurSpace, LLC, the tradeoffs are priceless.    At the end of the visits, I usually don’t have all the work done, due to the constant interruptions of machines, cellphone users and children (Parents bring children who cry for hours to a coffee shop is bewildering to me!).  Even if I do, I rarely know the name of my fellow coworkers.   The factor that I may not know those around me, can cost me a lifetime of business networks and mentors, and even friendships.   The majority of individuals like to be social, at least some point in time,  in which they want to make contacts that will help them succeed in business, whether it be a sales lead or a knowledge contributor.

The coworking setting is different from the coffee house.  Coworking relies upon individuals to build relationships,  work together and create the better product.   Members are able to take part of classes, where they can sharpen their skills, in communication, social media or book keeping skills.  Whilst, memberships may cost a bit more than a coffeehouse, the rewards are much greater.