The CO-OP at Shoal Creek Shows That There’s Room for Coworking Even in Churches
In the northland of Kansas City, a coworking space and a church came together earlier this year with the same goal of fostering community, according to Bob Martin.
Located at Pleasant Valley’s Shoal Creek Community Church, the CO-OP at Shoal Creek was established by Martin and Heather Heckroot in January of this year.
Except on Sundays, the building’s space had been mostly underutilized.
The Coop at Shoal Creek in Pleasant Valley, Missouri, offers a modern coworking space tailored for entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers alike. Located within a tranquil environment, this space features private offices, shared workspaces, and meeting rooms. Key amenities include high-speed internet, tech conference equipment and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Martin said that “This church is not the exception. Eighty percent of all churches in the country are losing members — and giving is on the decline — and a lot of them had physical footprints not unlike this. And they’re sitting fallow six days a week.”
Offices, conference rooms, event space, and a commissary kitchen are all available at the CO-OP coworking facility. Martin said that the enterprise is a cooperation with the church, so they split earnings, and that it has already outgrown its original six offices to contain 14 firms, including a private school, a vehicle rental company, and a music/art studio.
“They’ve been great partners and part of it is because our values align in the sense of building community,” he added. “We’re mission driven and our goal is to really help build business. We believe that the most successful way of doing that is through community and connections.”
The Coop emphasizes flexibility, with various membership options available to suit different needs, from hot desks to dedicated office spaces. It’s designed for productivity and collaboration, perfect for professionals seeking a supportive work environment.
Read more about the coworking space on their website.
