FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - Office supply firm Staples, Inc. and Workbar, a provider of co-working facilities, will offer shared office space rentals to workers within Staples retail locations.
Staples and Workbar says they will make more productive workplaces happen for small business customers, independent professionals, startups and the growing mobile workforce in three Massachusetts locations starting in late spring.
The first three Workbar spaces at Staples will be opening near its Framingham, Massachusetts headquarters, in Danvers, Norwood, and Brighton— located north, south, and west of Boston. Each of the 2,500 - 3,500 square-foot custom-designed facilities will offer a mix of high-end workspaces, conference rooms, private phone rooms, fast and secure Wi-Fi, printers, and bottomless coffee and tea to keep the connectivity and productivity flowing for business customers.
A Workbar location in Boston.
“Workbar locations will provide a sense of community and the opportunity to network and collaborate with other motivated professionals.”said Peter Scala, executive vice president merchandising, Staples. It also gives Staples captive customers for its office supplies, while providing a new customer for built office environments. There are 14 Workbar locations in Boston and Rhode Island, not counting the new Staples sites.
At its existing locations, Workbar charges $30/day, or $350 for a month of access 24/7 to one of its Boston locations. A dedicated desk rents for $400 a month; an office holding two to six peple costs $500 a month per person.
“Mobile professionals are a rising demographic everywhere, not just downtown," says Workbar CEO and co-founder Bill Jacobson. "So we’re building a hub-and-spoke network that links urban centers and suburban locations. With its convenient locations, parking and extended store hours, Staples is an ideal partner.”
The Workbar locations within Staples will be operated by Workbar and will offer co-working memberships, pre-scheduled meeting space, use of Workbar’s downtown locations, and access to its in-person and online community. Workbar says its network has connected investors and great ideas, and regularly yields partnerships or job offers.
"Being able to get your work done in a welcoming space, among an interesting, helpful professional community, definitely improves your quality of life,” Jacobson says.
Staples features shipping services and products, copying, scanning, faxing and computer work stations, tech support, and small business lending and credit services.
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