By Beverly Molnar
A new coworking option in downtown State College, Calder Way Co-share, is poised to join other local collaborative working arrangements such as the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub, also in downtown, and Bellefonte SpringBoard and Gavel and Quill in Bellefonte.
“Coworking spaces address a variety of needs for today’s professionals. Many workers seek a sense of community that fosters networking, idea sharing and opportunities for collaboration,” said Kendra Kielbasa, retail and commercial business advocate for the Downtown State College Improvement District. “While some offices have implemented a hybrid return to in-person work (following the COVID-19 pandemic), the demand for flexible work options will continue to grow in the foreseeable future.”
Ironically, while the pandemic yielded a surge in remote work and a demand for convenient virtual working spaces, it also created a gap. New Leaf Initiative, a nonprofit organization that provided space for coworking and events in the State College Municipal Building for more than eight years, closed in 2022 after the pandemic upended its operations.
“Like many community businesses, (our) operations were significantly affected by the virus and by necessary public health precautions like masking, social distancing and building closures,” executive director Abby Gaffron said at the time. “With the persistence of the pandemic and the borough’s need for additional space, we knew it was time to halt operations.”
More recently, Jonathan Friedman, the landlord for 208–209 Calder Way, saw an opportunity when the property became available after a previous tenant consolidated operations and vacated the office spaces. Recognizing the gap in local coworking options, Friedman decided to offer office spaces for short-term rent at an affordable cost.
Now open for use, the space features seven independent offices, two private conference rooms and a shared kitchen. Designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, the bright and open space includes utilities, high-speed internet and cleaning services. Individual office spaces can be rented month to month or for longer terms.
“This initiative aims to bring entrepreneurs and remote workers into the heart of downtown, surrounded by retail shops, restaurants and coffee shops.”
“This initiative aims to bring entrepreneurs and remote workers into the heart of downtown, surrounded by retail shops, restaurants and coffee shops,” Kielbasa said. “The Downtown State College Improvement District is excited about this initiative and fully supports the decision to move forward. The Comet landlord and management team are dedicated to enhancing downtown State College by addressing community needs with innovative solutions that contribute to the area’s unique charm.”
For leasing inquiries, please contact Comet Properties, LLC at 814-810-5208.
Bev Molnar is a freelance writer and a public relations specialist at Penn State University Libraries. She can be reached at bgs3@psu.edu.
