NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville's first women's only co-working space is coming to the 'it city.'
Kathy Thomas, the woman behind the project, said its a much-needed addition to Music City.
The L & L Market building has sat vacant for years, and now it's getting a breath of new life.
Thomas said, "We have Barefoot Cottage, which is coming in out of Indiana, we have a 4,100 square foot event space which is going to be great for the whole community, we have Five Daughters Bakery, Amelia's flower truck."
After hearing about its future, and its past, Thomas made plans to open a business at the Charlotte Avenue spot.
Thomas said, "It's a 1929 hosiery factory, the owner has really preserved it to give it back to the City of Nashville."
Thomas named her company Collective 615.
Thomas said, "It's a sole enterprise, it is a co-working space for women designed by women."
Entrepreneurs, or women in need of an affordable office space, can pay a membership fee to work there.
Thomas hopes to have motivational speakers, and a mentor program, through Collective 615. When Thomas stepped out of the office to become a photographer, she realized working from home was hard.
Thomas said, "So we're hoping it will strip down all those walls and those barriers, and make people start collaborating together, and open up a door for each other, to use each other as partners at their business."
Thomas' vision for the space includes a communal working area, conference rooms, and meeting rooms.
Thomas said, "I'll have telephone rooms, we'll have a mother's lounge for moms who are breastfeeding that need to pump."
While this space is a blank canvas now, Thomas looks forward to the day when it's filled with color and energy.
37 members have signed up to be a part of Collective 615 already. It works similar to a gym membership, and participants can pay month to month. She plans on having an official opening toward the end of the summer.
You can check out the crowd funding campaign and make a contribution here.
