The Northbay's Newest Coworking Space Opens in Downtown Healdsburg

The Northbay's Newest Coworking Space Opens in Downtown Healdsburg

CraftWork is the newest coworking space to pop up in the North Bay, with 4,500 square foot of shared workspace located at 445 Center Street in downtown Healdsburg. The newly renovated space opened on January 7th and features private offices, dedicated desks, hot desks, several meeting rooms and a Lounge. Designed as a ‘work/club’, CraftWork offers independent workers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, start-ups and non-profits a well- appointed, highly-flexible work environment and a supportive community of like-minded professionals who are pursuing their dreams and working to improve the region.

As coworking has taken off across the country – starting with 14 locations in 2007 to over 5,000 today - CraftWork offers a new model to smaller communities like Healdsburg, while creating a vehicle to positively grow local economies. According to founder, Jim Heid, the inspiration for CraftWork came after touring more than a dozen cities that were in the process of transforming their communities or neighborhoods. It became clear that coworking was always a cornerstone of any transformation because of the way it creates positive energy while growing locally based employment in a diversity of businesses. 

A resident of Healdsburg for over 15 years, Heid spent over two years researching and talking with prospective members about what they needed to succeed in their business and what would make a coworking space uniquely Healdsburg. “What I found were all these people doing amazing things out of their kitchens or second bedrooms who really wanted a place to meet others like themselves. They also wanted a professional place to meet with clients and an inspiring workspace where they could continue to elevate their game and learn from other successful entrepreneurs”.

Located two blocks off Healdsburg’s iconic Plaza, CraftWork puts its members within a 3 minutew alk of over fifty different food, retail, wine tasting and business service options. Aside from providing locational access to many of Healdsburg’s best offerings, CraftWork has also created a program to support locally owned businesses and entrepreneurs through its CraftPartner program. CraftWork selects a small cross section of locally owned businesses selected for their high quality products and unique contribution to the community. Each partner offers a custom member benefit, and in turn, CraftWork provides them visibility and new customers through events, website features and shared social media posts. Current CraftPartners include Portalupi Wine, Costeaux French Bakery, Young+Yonder Spirits, Noble Folk Pie and Ice Cream, DuChamp Hotel, Dragonfly Floral, Guiso’s, and Digital Xpress.

Originally built as the Crocker Bank in 1963 – the repurposed space that has become CraftWork features a number of creative brick-and-timber qualities including 14’ open wood ceilings, concrete block walls, exposed wood and steel beams, polished concrete floors, and the original bank vault which has been converted into a spectacular meeting room. The vault transformation began by removing the 18” thick concrete rear wall and replacing it with glass doors. The interior was sandblasted to expose the original concrete and then a walnut panel ceiling and wall was added to soften the room. The premium meeting space now comfortably seats eight people for everything from Board Meetings and client presentations to private wine tastings. A smaller, four-person conference room and the thirty-person Urban Workshop round out CraftWork’s meeting space options.

A year in construction, at a cost of over $500,000, the re-imagined space includes thoughtful amenities that were chosen to create a range of work spaces and settings for members to enjoy throughout their work day. Spaces include community work tables, work bars, and a Lounge with a fireplace that offers members a change of scenery and a comfortable place to work and converse while enjoying locally-sourced coffee and espresso without the noise and distractions of a coffee shop.. CraftWork offers a state-of-the-art hi speed fiber network, HD TV’s with Bluetooth connectivity for meetings and presentations, and a 130 sf ‘DreamBoard’ for brainstorming. Other appointments include two kitchen/break areas, 10’ sliding glass windows
in front and back, and an outdoor patio. 

There are a range of membership options starting with drop-in day users who may just need a professional place to meet or work for a day; a Bohemian membership which allows full access and use of hot desks and workbars on a first come basis; dedicated desks that provide members their own private workspace; and private offices; all of which are available seven days a week from 6 am to midnight. Meeting space is also available on an hourly basis to non-members and there are special rates for non-profits during non-premium times.

Memberships are month-to-month and start at $250. Day passes are available for $35 and provide an opportunity to try CraftWork without a long-term commitment. Included in membership is a smart phone app that provides front door access, and access to CraftWork sponsored events.

To learn more about membership, arrange for a tour, or book meeting space visit
www.craftworkhbg.com or stop by 445 Center Street between 9-5, Monday through Friday.