The daily grind
Austin's first-ever coffeehouse and coworking space brews up buzz
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Since the invention of the laptop, Austin coffee shops have been commandeered by workers looking for free Wi-Fi and an escape from working at home day after day. Now a Fort Worth company is looking to stir things up by combining all the amenities of a coworking space with a hefty dose of that sweet, sweet caffeine.
As first reported to Fort Worth Magazine and confirmed by a company representative, Craftwork Coffee Co. is opening its first Austin location at 10727 Domain Dr., a stone’s throw from the dining and shopping destinations at the Domain and Domain Northside. The 2,400-square-foot space will offer dedicated desks, an airy mezzanine level, and conference rooms.
Although some major housing developments have popped up in North Austin over the past few years, the coworking sector has been underserved compared to the city's core. While WeWork is already operating out of The Domain, and a handful of other spaces have popped up to fill the gap, Craftwork will help fill a need for those who live in the area but don't want to brave city traffic in order to work in a contemporary space. Owner Riley Kiltz told Fort Worth Magazine that the Austin location will likely attract a “mature crowd."
The new Craftwork will offer the niceties that members have come to expect from a shared workspace, including 24/7 entry, a private kitchen, special events, and access to other locations. Those are limited to two Fort Worth locations for now, but another location is set to debut in that city in June, and the company is looking to potentially scale to other Texas cities.
But the most attractive perk for Austin’s often sleep-deprived workforce might be the in-house coffee shop. The simple menu of cappuccinos, Americanos, and lattes is priced competitively to chains like Starbucks, but members get a discount to help fuel them through even the most boring presentation.
If all goes according to plan, Craftwork Coffee Co. Austin is set to debut in spring 2019. CultureMap has reached out to company representatives for more details.