LIFESTYLE
Built in 1894 as a freight depot and office of the general agent for the Chicago , Milwaukee , St. Paul & Pacific Railroad , the building had been sitting vacant for over five years. “When the Mayor first suggested a tour of the facility, I was in disbelief that our operation could downsize to 5,500 square feet. The pandemic’s effects on remote work helped us realize it was exactly what we needed to serve today's entrepreneurs," said Maner. The Startup team had their Wall Breaking Ceremony in May 2022 followed by the financial support of dozens of local businesses to begin renovations. The doors opened to the public in February of 2023. Maner says the building, affectionately called “ The Depot ,” is a testament to entrepreneurship. “I look at the quartzite walls and think about the determination, care, and the tenacity that it took to build a facility that’s still standing strong,” she said. “Our move would not have been possible without the support of our greater business community such as MarketBeat , Lloyd Companies , POET , and SDN Communications , as well as our dedicated board and staff.” With increased visibility downtown came an influx of folks drawn to the building, the organization, and its many services. “We serve three different markets,” said community coordinator Amos Buelow . “Entrepreneurs and founders who want to grow a business and network, remote workers who want a workspace with community, and business organizations that need conference rooms or an event space.”
“We all have something to learn from the entrepreneurial mindset.” Brienne Maner
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