Fifth generation Tampa Bay native, Brian Sanders, selected to lead COhatch’s Florida expansion

TAMPA, FLORIDA, January 13, 2021 – COhatch, a rapidly growing Ohio-based company which develops innovative shared work and social spaces, officially closed on a site in West Tampa at 2112 West Main Street.

The Main Street location, at the heart of Tampa’s original downtown, is surrounded by the city’s historic cigar factories and public artwork, like the neighborhood’s “Faces of West Tampa” mural. The historic area is near the up-and-coming West River, a bustling destination that includes residences, offices, shops, restaurants and riverfront activities. 

“One of the trademarks of any COhatch is a celebration of the uniqueness each community brings,” said COhatch CEO and co-founder, Matt Davis. “Our team heavily researches the history and culture of every neighborhood, so we can incorporate elements of it into our design and figure out how to best serve that specific community.”

Because COhatch is based in Columbus, Ohio, it was important to find someone passionate about the community and knowledgeable about the area to lead their Florida expansion. That’s where Brian Sanders, a serial entrepreneur and fifth generation Tampa Bay native, comes in. Sanders, COhatch’s  market leader for the Tampa Bay area, has dedicated his life to supporting local nonprofits, small businesses and communities. 

“So much of my work with non profits has been about engagement, connection and empowerment   ̶ helping people thrive   ̶and I’m thrilled to be part of an organization working to bring that same servant leadership perspective to business,” Sanders said. “Historical reverence, responsible restoration, philanthropy and impact are hallmarks of the work COhatch does, and we’re excited to bring a business like that to town.”

Across its sites in Ohio, Indiana, Florida and Pennsylvania, COhatch supports communities through its Impact Fund, which provides scholarships to nonprofit organizations, startup companies, entrepreneurs and civic leaders. In 2021, COhatch donated more than $550,000 in services to this fund, an amount that will increase as the company expands. 

One way the company is embracing West Tampa is by partnering with Bar-B-Que King, a family-owned and operated neighborhood staple that has been serving the community for nearly 60 years in a small portion of the building COhatch is restoring. The company is working with Bar-B-Que King owners, Amelia Howard and her sister Tiffany Powell, to give their brand an overall refresh and expand their space to include an upgraded kitchen and a seating area.

They’ve also worked closely with the building’s owner, Bernard Jordan, who was born and raised in the neighborhood, to bring him on board as a real estate partner of COhatch. The development will bring new life to a building that, apart from Bar-B-Que King, has been in disuse for years.

“We’re really grateful to have the opportunity to partner with Amelia, Tiffany and Bernard to dig deeper into the history of the community, restore this building and add a new hub for activity in the neighborhood,” said Sanders. “This is the first of a lot of exciting news we’re announcing in the next few months about our growth in the Tampa Bay area.”

The company aims to have 500 locations in 50 communities across the U.S. by 2032, with as many as 15 in the Tampa Bay area. COhatch West Tampa is expected to open in Summer 2022.

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About COhatch

COhatch, a new kind of shared work, social, and family space built on community, offers members the services, activities and amenities to live a fully integrated life that balances work, family, well-being, community and giving back. Founded in 2016, COhatch was created through the collaboration of a group of friends who wanted to live out their ideal lives and improve their community  ̶  think Town Hall 2.0. COhatch has 29 locations open or under construction nationwide in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Springfield, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Tampa Bay, Florida; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Visit www.cohatch.com for more information. Follow COhatch on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.