Entrepreneurial nonprofit partners with Braxton to create new coworking space

Braxton Barrel House in Fort Mitchell is the pilot location for a new coworking space program, thanks to a collaboration with entrepreneurship nonprofit Blue North.

Coworking is an arrangement in which workers of different companies share an office space. The concept has becoming an increasingly popular tool for on-the-go entrepreneurs, freelancers and anyone who needs a space to plop down and get some stuff done.

Braxton famously started in a garage, paving the foundation for a collaborative work environment between brothers and brewery co-founders Jake and Evan Rouse.

“Being a home for entrepreneurs is at the heart of the Braxton story,” Blue North Executive Director Dave Knox said. “Braxton was started by entrepreneurs and they wanted the space to be a place that, as their coffee mugs said, for others “‘to build, to invent, to flip the switch on something better.'”

Braxton and Blue North plan to expand the concept to more Braxton locations in the future.

Coworking launched at Braxton on Nov. 14. Here’s their schedule:

Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Braxton’s Jake Rouse told LINK nky that coworking will start at 11 a.m. to gauge demand from the community, then if successful, ease back the starting time to 8 a.m.

“We looked around, we had all these gorgeous spaces outfitted with incredible wi-fi and they sat virtually empty all during the day,” Rouse said. “We like to use our spaces for more than a traditional bar/brewery setting. It’s really about making space and trying to create a community around that.”

Braxton opened their first physical taproom in 2015 on W. 7th Street in Covington, and began offering coworking at the location in 2016. Staffing challenges and the pandemic led to a coworking suspension in the space for the last few years, but Rouse said they are happy to be bringing it back.

Rouse said when Braxton broke ground on construction for their rooftop space, they lost a portion of their coworking customer base. Since the rooftop is completed, Braxton wants to eventually transition back into utilizing their large spaces for coworking.

“I think what you’re gonna see is that the community wants another place to work. People are still not going back to their offices,” Rouse said. “Being able to find a place that is unique for people to be able to spend time with is really important.”

The access to coffee, food and a collaborative working environment looks to be an added benefit to Braxton, Blue North and the broader entrepreneurship community. Rouse said the Barrel Room coworking space will be a great value add for NKY.

“With the rise of hybrid work environments, many people now have the flexibility of work from home at least part of the time but many of us have realized that we need work from home options beyond just the home,” Knox said. “This new initiative with Braxton Barrel House provides that. It’s a place for entrepreneurs and business leaders to catch-up, grab a cup of coffee or beer, or just crank out some work in a more creative environment.”

Knox said Blue North will utilize Braxton’s coworking space for events going forward.

“Blue North is excited to help support this launch,” Knox said. “In addition to sponsoring free coffee for all entrepreneurs, we’ll be holding office hours, meetups and other events in the months to come.”