The newest venture of the rapidly expanding Worthington-based COhatch brand launched last week with the debut of the Madery, a “maker and market space” aimed at providing a home for a series of social enterprises.

The Madery opened in the basement of the Kilbourne Memorial Building – also known as the 752 Building – on Worthington’s Village Green at 752 High St.

Upstairs, COhatch and its co-founder, Matt Davis, set up shop the building last year, funding renovations to the dilapidated facility rather than paying rent to the city, which owns the property. His COhatch business rents co-working, event and office space to businesses and community members.

At the grand opening of the Madery on April 19, City Manager Matt Greeson said when the city originally was looking for a tenant for the site, he sent city employees to other “incubators, maker spaces and co-working places throughout Ohio and in adjacent states” to see if that concept was plausible.

He said although that plan still was in the works, COhatch signed on and has exceeded expectations.

“That incomplete dream we had for a vibrant Kilbourne (Memorial) Building and an even more vibrant Old Worthington has been more than fulfilled,” he said. “I couldn’t, at that point, imagine what (Davis has) made this.”

Davis said the COhatch project “started from the vision of the city” and his first ideas for the space were “nothing like this whatsoever.”

“The amount of success we’ve been having, with multiple locations announced and several more to be announced, … I’m truly proud and grateful,” he said.

In addition to two buildings in Old Worthington, COhatch recently struck a deal to renovate a former newspaper office in Delaware and is renovating a spot in the Shops on Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington.

As for the Madery, the new space includes six ventures, each with a social concern at their forefront.

Eleventh Candle Co. sells candles to help “redeem, restore, empower, equip and employ” victims of human trafficking, abuse, exploitation and addiction.

Florin Coffee is an “ethically sourced” micro-coffee roaster that offers workshops and demonstrations in addition to coffee.

Girl Set Free is a nonprofit organization that provides help and work for women who have been victims of human trafficking by employing them in the production of “luxury Italian leather goods and other textiles.”

InsideOutCreatives sells crafts produced by incarcerated women who have taken art classes either inside or out of prison.

Proceeds from the crafts go toward helping women get back on their feet after leaving prison.

Porttion offers “globally inspired, locally sourced” meals that are organic and health-focused. Meals can be picked up at the Madery or delivered.

Red Bristle offers “artisan” haircuts for men and women and emphasizes development of young hair stylists. It also uses “ethically sourced” hair products.

Annina Parini, executive director of the Old Worthington Partnership, said the space exemplifies what her organization hopes can be a consistent theme of collaboration in Old Worthington.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have you here and being part of our community,” she said.

Original article by Andrew King with ThisWeekNews.

Published On: April 25, 2018Categories: Uncategorized

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