Soon-to-be renovated building to be home to new year-round artisan’s market, shared kitchen, food hall and coworking, lifestyle space in heart of city.

WORTHINGTON and SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, September 20, 2018 – SpringFORWARD, the city’s downtown non-profit economic development engine, is partnering with coworking lifestyle company COhatch to help to revitalize and restore Springfield’s downtown area through renovation of the former 100-year old Myer’s Market building. This will be COhatch’s sixth location.

SpringFORWARD, who purchased the property earlier this year from the City of Springfield, will collaborate over the next year with COhatch to breathe new life into the building and surrounding area with a year-round artisan’s marketplace, shared kitchen, food hall, and coworking, lifestyle and event space for local entrepreneurs, businesses and individuals to the tune of $1.75 million for the redo.

When built out, the COhatch “Market” at 101 South Fountain Avenue will resemble the modern-day version of the original marketplace (see photograph). The shared kitchen will offer a range of options for entrepreneurs, startups and food trucks requiring modern equipment and a shared cost model. The new food hall will be an ideal setting for local farmers, healthy eateries, caterers, experiential dinners and novelty hamburger restauranteurs and the like. Visitors will be able to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a meal or snack with family and friends. The facility will open in mid-2019.

SpringFORWARD and the City of Springfield believe restoring this momentous venue will be instrumental in helping to revitalize the downtown area. The historic two-story 25,000 square foot building occupied by a thriving market environment in the early 1900s once was home to merchants, farmers and local artisans.

“It is exciting for the people of Springfield to see a new and unique use for our City Market that honors the history of the structure while creating a supportive environment for the development of new and existing businesses,” said Springfield Mayor Warren Copeland. “We can’t wait for the opening of COhatch Market. We are confident it will be a game changer for Springfield.”

With a 45-minute drive between Columbus and Springfield, a 30-minute drive to Dayton and one and one-half hour drive to Cincinnati, residents from these communities can take advantage of a walkable neighborhood while doing business at a very economical rate in their own backyard.

“Since its inception in 2016, COhatch has been making a name for itself with the quality of its building restorations as it strives to create a new shared space concept built off the modern townhall,” said SpringFORWARD Executive Director Michael Greitzer. “With their vision and passion for rebuilding communities, we knew COhatch would make the perfect partner for us to restore the building, but more importantly, their business model will create a unique and exciting gathering place in the center of downtown.”

“We are taking our mission a step further by connecting communities,” said Matt Davis, founder of COhatch. “Springfield residents can have it all by living and working in their own community and investing their time and effort where it counts the most to them. This gives them the option of incubating a new idea or business in their home town and then expanding into larger markets such as Columbus.”

COhatch Market initially will offer approximately 12,000 square feet of private offices, dedicated desks, game areas, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, large conference rooms, indoor and outdoor event spaces. It will also include a standard set of business amenities such as Wi-Fi, desk and fax/mail services. Members can access all COhatch resources and space at any of its locations.

COhatch currently has two locations in Worthington, Ohio, and three others under construction. The Delaware location “The Newsstand” will open this Fall and the Upper Arlington location “The Overlook” and Polaris “The Pub” will open this Winter. Members can access all COhatch resources and space at any of its locations.

COhatch plans to open more than 12 total locations in Central Ohio within the next five years.

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. COhatch has two locations in Worthington, Ohio and three under development in Delaware, Upper Arlington and at Polaris Fashion Mall with additional sites planned in the Midwest. Visit www.cohatch.com for more information.