The drab lobby/entryway at the downtown Akron business incubator will be transformed into a modern, cozy multipurpose area complete with a coffee shop.
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan says the new space will lead to greater collaboration at the incubator, providing entrepreneurs “with a place to meet, brainstorm and form innovative alliances.”
And, of course, those with companies at the 33-year-old incubator — called the Akron Global Business Accelerator — are psyched about having freshly brewed coffee outside their front doors.
The cafe — which will be open to the public — is expected to be open for business early next year.
The accelerator, which receives city and state funding, is paying for the project with a $242,500 grant from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, the Hudson nonprofit that promotes entrepreneurship.
Accelerator occupants are cheering for what will be dubbed the Plug-in Cafe on the first floor of the nine-story building on South Main Street.
Eran Arden established the U.S. headquarters of his business, Timocco, in the business accelerator less than a year ago. The Israeli company creates computer-based therapy programs for children with learning disabilities.
“In Tel Aviv [Israel], the density of coffee shops is really high,” he said. “On average, I’d have one or two meetings a day in a coffee shop.”
The cafe, though, will be about a lot more than java, he said, echoing the mayor and accelerator officials: “Interactions [in such spaces] create conversations, and conversations create collaboration — and hopefully it creates more dollars.”
Collaborative spirit
Anthony Margida, the accelerator’s CEO, said members of his staff have long encouraged collaboration, offering various programs where tenants can network. Tenants also are encouraged to connect with various organizations in the same building, such as the state-funded Small Business Development Center.
“I just feel like there’s so much talent in this building,” Margida said. With the cafe, he said, “we want to encourage more connection, and exchange of ideas without an intermediary” having to get involved.
The Plug-in Cafe, including an adjacent meeting room that will be constructed as part of the renovation project, will encompass about 4,500 square feet.
Accelerator officials plan to outsource operation of the coffee shop. The operator would lease the coffee shop workspace, with the accelerator providing the furnished seating areas and meeting room for customers.
The accelerator is accepting proposals from potential operators. Deadline for proposals is May 31, and accelerator officials hope to select an operator by July 1. The lobby remodeling is scheduled to begin around early August.
Go to www.akronaccelerator.com/cafe.aspx to see a copy of the request for proposals.
At 3 p.m. Friday, the accelerator will host a meeting for those interested in possibly running the shop. See the accelerator’s website for more information.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.