{"id":29376,"date":"2016-08-11T08:55:37","date_gmt":"2016-08-11T12:55:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=29376"},"modified":"2016-08-16T11:25:57","modified_gmt":"2016-08-16T15:25:57","slug":"kirsten-moores-new-co-working-space-hub-wins-virginia-main-street-best-business-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2016\/kirsten-moores-new-co-working-space-hub-wins-virginia-main-street-best-business-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Kirsten Moore\u2019s new coworking space, The Hub, wins Virginia Main Street Best Business award"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe people, the people, the people,\u201d says Katherine Harrison, when asked why she rents office space from The Hub Coworking<\/a> in Harrisonburg.<\/p>\n

If anyone is aware of how the right space can empower people and their projects, Harrison is. Her company, GraceWorks<\/a>, helps clients \u201corganize their spaces, optimize their time and master their technology.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even when her glass-walled office door is closed, Harrison enjoys the \u201ccollaborative, supportive environment\u201d and the creative energy of Harrisonburg\u2019s newest coworking hotspot, owned by Kirsten Parmer \u201993 Moore and her husband, Chris.<\/p>\n

On any given day, the renovated 19th-century exposed-brick warehouse in downtown Harrisonburg is literally a hub of activity, bringing together creative, focused people with diverse skills and talents. While social engagement is \u201celective,\u201d Moore says, the friendly, collaborative environment often leads to serendipitous meetings, networking, business opportunities and shared expertise.<\/p>\n

Tim Fahndrich \u201989, who owns a digital marketing company in Oregon, recently worked from The Hub while visiting his wife\u2019s family. \u201cHe started a conversation with a graphic designer who works out of here, and now they\u2019re talking about possibly partnering together,\u201d says Moore.<\/p>\n

That kind of place-based synergy and energy helped The Hub Coworking earn a Virginia Main Street<\/a> Merit Award for Outstanding Business in July.<\/p>\n

\u2018Best business\u2019 among Main Street communities<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"20160729-Kirsten<\/a>
Private offices line the outskirts of the open workspace at The Hub Coworking in downtown Harrisonburg.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The business, nominated by Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance<\/a>, was selected from among entrants located in 29 Virginia Main Street communities. The Virginia Main Street program, managed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, provides assistance and training to help communities increase the economic vitality of their downtown commercial districts.<\/p>\n

The Hub meets all three criteria for the award: \u201cstrengthening the business mix \u2026 displaying an authentic and attractive storefront, or demonstrating exceptional downtown civic and promotional participation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diverse professions represented<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Hub\u2019s more than 40 members represent nearly 30 different kinds of businesses and generally defy the coworking stereotype. \u201cMost people think of coworking spaces as populated by young people involved in start-up companies, but I\u2019d say our average age is 40-something and most people are not self-employed,\u201d Moore says.<\/p>\n

Current and past members include web, game and app designers, IT workers, medical researchers and writers, pregnancy and childbirth educators, and translators, among others.<\/p>\n

Attorney Jared Burden, who has leased one of the eight private offices for more than a year, has found The Hub to be a perfect place for his solo law practice. Through his business OPENgc<\/a>, Burden offers general counsel legal services to small- and medium-sized businesses and non-profits for a flat monthly fee (he also works in more traditional arrangements).<\/p>\n

In five quick bullet points, here\u2019s why he loves his new working environment:<\/p>\n