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V O L . X X I V N O. I I I F E B R UA R Y 5 , 2 0 1 8 12 W hen Patrick Roche was liv- ing in New York City, he needed a place to write. He wanted to get out of his apartment and be around people doing the same thing he was. He found a place where writers got together to work, though at that time the term "coworking" didn't exist. When he moved to Portland in 2010 he looked for the same thing, but couldn't find it. So he opened his own. Now Roche's ink Tank Coworking is in a 10,000-square-foot space at 533 Congress St. in Portland, with satellite locations in Yarmouth and Biddeford. Coworking started as an attractive working environment for the self- employed, remote workers and startups. "Virtual connectivity isn't enough for people," he says. "ey need a sense of purpose, and to connect with others who are doing the same type of thing they are." Shared space, with amenities Roche started his business in an upstairs space on Exchange Street. "I wanted a place for creatives to be around other creatives," he says. Within six months, it was paying for itself. ink Tank moved to Congress Street in 2012, and in 2016 he took over the space next door and doubled the size, to 10,000 square feet. Roche opened a smaller location in Yarmouth in 2014, and in 2015 leased 3,000 square feet in the Pepperell Mill in Biddeford. Clients not only include self- employed and remote workers, but political campaigns and satellite offices of businesses and startups. ink Tank and PelotonLabs, at 795 Congress St., the city's coworking pio- neers, have been joined by e Engine Room, at 41 York St., Cloudport at 63 Federal St. and CoworkHERS at 411 Congress St. In Westbrook, LocalHost opened in 2015 at the Dana Warp Mill, at 90 Bridge St. e newest coworking space in the area is SoPoCo.Works, which will be at 1486 Broadway in South Portland, with an open date tentatively opening spring. Newer spaces stress the differ- ences that make them stand out in the growing Portland-area market. Engine Room leans toward tech professionals and companies. Cloudport, opened by Nik Caner-Medley, a graduate of Portland's Deering High School who now plays professional basketball in Spain, offers amenities that include concierge service, showers and free coffee and beer. CoworkHERS is designed to sup- port female professionals, and also bills itself as a social club, offering seminars and other activities aimed at motivat- ing and supporting members. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY location, location … co-location F O C U S Patrick Roche, owner of Think Tank Coworking, has expanded the Portland businss twice and has satellite locations in Yarmouth and Biddeford. He's shown here in the Portland office, prior to the most recent expansion. Think Tank Coworking Est. 2010 / 533 Congress St., Portland; 40 Main St. (Pepperell Center), Biddeford; 40 Lafayette St., Yarmouth / thinktankcoworking.com Founder and Director: Patrick Roche What it's about: Northern New England's largest coworking facility, with locations in downtown Portland, Yarmouth, Biddeford. "Our vision is to build an interconnected network of coworking facilities throughout New England. We believe that coworking is the future of community engagement, startup ideation and business incubation." Rates: All rates monthly. Standard floating $150 Portland / $125 Yarmouth; floating with client privileges $200/$150; dedicated desks $275/$275; private offices $400 to $900/$525 to $800 PelotonLabs Est. 2011 / 795 Congress St., Portland / pelotonlabsportland.com CEO: Liz Trice What it's about: "Dedicated to connecting and encouraging people who are stepping out of traditional modes of employment so they can improve their lives and contribute to the world around them.We connect and encourage individuals so they can face the challenges of manifesting their visions and values without fear." Rates: Ranges from $30 day pass to $500 with a variety of options and added amenities available. Engine Room Est. 2012 / 41 York St., Portland / portlandengineroom.com Owners: Yona Belfort, Chuck Martin What it's about: "From the onset, the founders of Engine Room have envisioned a curated office environment where member business contribute to the creative energy and momentum (vibe) we've established. Our goal isn't simply to 'fill the space,' but rather to attract businesses from various creative endeavors whose owners recognize the value in cross-pollination, collaboration and the sharing of ideas." Monthly rates: All rates monthly. Floating $190; shared open concept office bay $375; full open concept office bay $625 LocalHost Coworking Est. 2015 / 90 Bridge St., Westbrook / localhostcoworking.org Founder: Peter Anania Jr. What it's about: "LocalHost is located in a 1,800 square foot suite at the Dana Warp Mill that overlooks the Saccarappa Falls. The suite's tall windows, 15-foot ceilings and exposed beams make it the ideal place to be productive and creative." Rates: All rates monthly. Dedicated desk $225; office $325 to $450 CO-WORKING SPACES IN GREATER PORTLAND Coworking evolving into more than just a 'gig economy' mainstay B y M a u r e e n M i l l i k e n

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