There’s wi-fi and coffee, so according to community manager Carter Ellis, it’s time for Loading Dock Raleigh to open for business.
After this morning’s tour of the 5,000-square-foot coworking space in an old Winn-Dixie warehouse just north of downtown Raleigh, it’s clear Ellis is being a bit modest. Furniture is in. Conference rooms are functioning. There’s a kitchen with two working beer taps. Software called Nexudus is helping Ellis manage leases, payment, member communication and space rental. Bee hives were installed today on the roof by Durham startup Bee Downtown.
About 40 people are already working in the space, and tours are happening weekly to begin to fill up 150 available memberships, priced from $99 monthly for part-time coworking to upwards of $700 for a private office.
Loading Dock is open to anyone but somewhat targeted to social impact and consumer product companies, businesses that align with the mission and values of founder Philip Freeman, who also owns natural insect repellent startup Murphy’s Naturals (the biggest Loading Dock tenant). Eventually, Loading Dock will offer warehouse and makerspace for members.
For now, focus is on finishing upstairs offices for nonprofits like Activate Good and the Jamie Kirk Hahn Foundation, along with six two-person office suites. There are finishing touches too, like doors and phones for the call rooms and the wood for the front of the bar. All will be complete by a grand opening celebration happening sometime in June.
Ellis has even started some programming for members. He made omelettes on the Loading Dock stove last Friday. For a closer look at the space, check out the photo tour below:
Kitchen + Bar
Just inside the main entrance is a small lobby that opens into the kitchen and bar.
