Post Date: Monday, April 20, 2021
Hi Downtown Boulder Readers!
As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up our lives in more ways than one. One of the new normals we have had to adapt to is changing workspaces. While working from home seems ideal at first, it can quickly drain you of motivation and leave you dreading the weekdays. It is also hard to separate home-life from work-life when your room and workspace are shared (I know this all too well). With that being said, I want to introduce some great places to get work done downtown that will get you out of your home and keep you productive and motivated.
This week I had the opportunity to meet the Industrious Boulder team and spend some time in their co-working space. Industrious has the mission to make each work day exciting and comfortable. Their space is designed as an environment that fosters productivity. After visiting the space, it was apparent that Industrious places an emphasis on three ideas: hospitality, sustainability, and helping create a more diverse and inclusive community through how they operate.
The Industrious offices are central to downtown with 360 views of the Flatirons. The space has open areas to work or hold meetings, but the private offices are what makes Industrious unique. I walked into the office and immediately noted how clean and comfortable it was -- especially with all Covid-19 safety guidelines being followed. Temperatures are taken upon arrival and it is required that masks be worn in the common spaces. All food and utensils are single use items at the moment to allow for the most safety. However, all the kitchenware is compostable (cups, lids, straws, etc.). Even the printer paper is compostable and made from sugar cane (I didn’t even know that was possible, but I’m here for it!). Reusable mugs are out for use as well. Flexibility in the office is an important aspect that Industrious focuses on. In these offices, you choose what is best for you! Bike parking is offered outside, and each member is given a free eco-pass which supports the move toward a sustainable community.
Locally sourced food and beverages are offered daily, with honey from Savannah Bee Company, breakfast from Spruce Confections, bagels from Moe’s Bagels, and tea from Ampersand Coffee Roasters in Gunbarrel. Community is important in Boulder, so of course member events are a big part of the Industrious world! There are happy hours on Thursday afternoons, network lunches, and daily breakfasts (P.S. I hear that sometimes Boulder Baked and Illegal Pete’s make appearances at the network lunches).
It seems that Industrious intends to effect change where their dollars are being spent. They have partnerships with POC-owned companies like Symphony Chips, and they work with four different POC-owned coffee companies that are rotated through weekly. Click here if you are interested in taking a tour or becoming a part of their community!
If you are interested in checking out other co-working spaces in downtown Boulder, I encourage you to look at Galvanize, Kiln, and NiCHE!
If you are just looking for a temporary space to come to when you find yourself in a work slump, check out one of downtown Boulder’s adorable coffee shops. Trident has a warm and inviting atmosphere where you can easily become fully immersed in your work. They also have a wide selection of books that you can use to take a reading break!
Wonder has a really beautiful outdoor patio so you can bask in the sun and the fresh air while you get work done. A little bit of Vitamin D always helps me feel a little more motivated and focused! While here you can enjoy refreshing juices, coffee, or tea -- or all of the above if that is what will keep you cruisin’ through your work.
On both the East End and the West End, there is an OZO Coffee Roasters. They have wide indoor seating as well as a good amount of outdoor seating, so depending on your mood you can choose inside or outside. You may also catch yourself glancing at the walls and appreciating the pieces created by local artists (usually for sale if one really catches your eye).
I spent a lot of time at the Laughing Goat in Norlin Library freshman year, but over the last couple of years I have become more of a fan of the Laughing Goat on Pearl Street. The cozy interior makes it the perfect space to dedicate a few hours to completing the work you have been putting off. They also have outdoor seating which is nice on a warm summer night if you tend to procrastinate because they are open daily until 8pm.
I hope this helps give you some ideas of where the best places to be productive are when you get in a slump working from home!
Talk Soon,
Ally
Mentioned in this Post: Galvanize Boulder, Illegal Pete's, Industrious Pearl Street, Laughing Goat Coffeehouse, OZO Coffee Co. (East Pearl), OZO Coffee Co. (West Pearl), Savannah Bee Company, Spruce Confections, Trident Booksellers and Cafe, Wonder
Tagged: Boulder