Cultivate the connection with The Shop

Salt Lake City is a place that seeks to foster connection. With The shopa new coworking space in downtown SLC, it’s never been easier to cultivate those creative connections, often between people and groups who might never have met otherwise.

The shop, located at 350 E. 400 South, has a simple mission: to help businesses come together and build community. From thoughtful design to stunning rooftop views to a dedication to local communities, The shop stands out among coworking spaces. With 30,000 square feet to work with, Community Manager Anne Olson said The shop was built from the ground up with the mission in mind.

While the benefits of coworking are numerous (a fixed monthly cost, the ability to pay as the business grows, shared resources, etc.), Olsen’s favorite by far is the community. With members such as S&S presents, Utah Equality, empathetic and Nature conservation all in a hallway, The shopThe community of is large and growing. “The amount of knowledge spillovers and community collisions that can happen, it’s so much fun to watch,” says Olsen.

Before the pandemic, Olsen says the traditional office was king. As companies now realize the potential of remote working, she believes coworking offers the perfect balance. “COVID has accelerated the need for hyper-flexible space,” says Olsen. “Coworking bridges the gap between what a traditional office space looks like… versus this really nimble and flexible option.” Members of The shop enjoy 24/7 access to their spaces, allowing for smooth schedules and consistent connection. “We’ve really learned over the last few years in particular that flexibility isn’t something we want, it’s actually something we need,” says Olsen.

“Coworking bridges the gap between what a traditional office space looks like… versus this really nimble and flexible option.”

Each of the The shopThe three floors of have a distinct feel. The top floor is quiet and calm, dark and rich in secluded depth. Here, expect the music to be turned down, acoustic tiles to minimize noise, and cabins that offer a solitary experience without being isolated. If you need fresh air, the rooftop is a nearby retreat. The city views are sure to inspire productivity. The ground floor is the ground floor, with a kitchen offering local beers from daily increase, King’s Peak Coffee Roasters and Salt Lake Roasting Co. An abundance of natural light floods in through large windows, a deliberate choice according to Olsen: “We wanted to democratize the best views…instead of just lining the whole perimeter with desks.

The look is only half the story: Olsen says the connection between Salt Lake and the Union Pacific Railroad influenced many decisions made by architects in New Orleans. Straight, clean lines conjure up images of connection between the ribs. Natural wood surrounds the space in an undeniably aesthetic way. “They really wanted a space that felt like Salt Lake and had Salt Lake connections without being so obvious in a way,” says Olsen.

On the ground floor, The shopThe commitment to local art is abundant and clear to see. “Our goal in the space is that no matter where you are, if you turn 360 degrees, you’ll see at least one piece of art,” says Olsen. “They ended up increasing the investment because they couldn’t decide which coins to buy.” As pieces by over 25 local artists hang throughout the building, the program really comes alive here with Tom Judd“Saltair” and Sheldon Harvey‘s “The Beginning”. Modern Western Fine Art organized the sales. You can further explore The Shop’s art with their artistic brochure.

“We wanted to democratize the best views…instead of just lining the whole perimeter with offices.”

Art is not the only way The shop engages the local community – as Olsen puts it: “The economic development piece of this puzzle is bananas”. In February alone, The shop contributed over $250,000 to the local city economy by hosting the mtnDAO Hacker Home. Programming goes a long way in elevating SLC’s professional culture, with events such as a pitch competition and a series of educational workshops. “[We’re] trying to touch all these different edges and corners of what people are concerned about right now,” Olsen says. “And just trying to always find ways to get people out of their offices and into common areas to meet without it being pushy or forced.” The best way to do this? Bringing pieces of the city for members, for example through wine and beer tastings.

Supporting the community doesn’t stop there. The shopThe My Community program works with three local nonprofits—this year proof SpyHop Productions, Utah Equality and Green Urban Lunch Box— by volunteering and allocating funds for direct support. Every quarter, new members can vote for their favorite association to receive funds. Beyond that, any nonprofit can qualify for reduced membership rates. “If you do work that values ​​our community, we want to make sure we reward it,” says Olsen.

April 19 marked The shop‘s one year anniversary. Olsen hopes to facilitate stronger partnerships, more knowledge spillovers, and do much more for the local community. “The future is a lot of fun,” says Olsen. Like The shop continues to grow, as do the membership. “One of the best things about coworking is that you’re constantly bringing in new members and new ideas,” Olsen said. “People are passing us and they’re supposed to.”

With the ever-changing culture, there are always new faces and smiles to meet at The shop. You can stay informed online at shopworkspace.com and on instagram and Facebook to @theshop.slc. “People are all doing different kinds of work at different stages, but they’re all equally enthusiastic and passionate and want to help each other and get to know each other,” says Olsen. “I think The shop is really for people doing their life’s work.

Learn more about some of the companies that work with The shop:
Giving Voice to Salt Lake Youth: Spy Hop Film Program
The Brewing of John Bolton & Salt Lake Roasting Company