Does every company need its own brick-and-mortar office space and all the overhead costs that go with it? Should every office be filled with silent voices and sharp keyboard clicks?

The idea behind co-working locations, which have been cropping up across the midstate in the last few years, is that shared office spaces can inspire fresh ideas in a collaborative environment. These spaces can work — and work well — for people who normally work in isolation.

Here are some of the co-working spots in the area.

 

Ben Franklin TechCelerator

453 Lincoln St., Carlisle

www.muratabusinesscenter.com

Owner: Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F

Amenities: Office suites, communal space, mentoring, desks, access to conference rooms, kitchen

The TechCelerator, which has been open about a year, offers transitional or temporary space in a business incubator environment, so members can work with one-on-one mentors. The TechCelerator strives to “grow companies and give them space to meet their particular needs at the time,” said Executive Director Pam Martin.

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Lime Street Center

30 N. Lime St., Lancaster

limestreetcenter.com

Owner: Eric Davenport

Hours: Flexible, but generally 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F

Amenities: Private offices, shared offices, communal space, two Wi-Fi networks, Category 6 cable for high-speed Internet, projection screen, laptop access, conference room, photography equipment, printers, kitchen, patio, grill

Lime Street Center, which opened in November, provides a variety of working atmospheres and a professional technology system. It has space for privacy and communal space for collaboration. The back patio gives members the option of working outside.
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The Candy Factory

323 N. Queen St., Lancaster

www.candyissweet.com

Owner/co-founder: Ann Kirby

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F

Amenities: Space for full-time and part-time members, Wi-Fi, printers, member lunches, coffee machines, conference rooms, projectors, kitchen

The Candy Factory, which has been open almost two years, strives to create a collaborative, social atmosphere. It provides a creative space — the walls were just painted with chalkboard paint — and is “a great way for individuals to expand their talent set by having people to rely on,” said George Stephanis, a full-time member.
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Thomas Technology Group

3438 Trindle Road, Suite 100, Camp Hill

Owner: Peggy Thomas

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F or by reservation

Amenities: Full-time space, rotating temporary space, desk areas, conference rooms, secure wireless Internet, mobile hotspot printing for confidentiality, mailboxes, flat-screen TV, scanning, faxing, copying

Thomas Technology Group has been open for about a year, and it wants people to form their own communities individually and collaboratively. It works to ensure members have personal, customizable spaces to fulfill their needs.