CO marks first anniversary with Route 9 sign, Nov. 13 celebration

RHINEBECK - CO, Rhinebeck’s coworking and event venue, is celebrating its first anniversary with the unveiling of a new sign on its grounds off Route 9 across from the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. An anniversary celebration is also set for from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13.

A cooperatively-owned center for entrepreneurship, action and inspiration, CO’s community runs the gamut from entrepreneurs and freelancers, to startups and small teams. CO provides a flexible, beautiful space for coworking, meetings or celebrations, and nurtures its community of motivated, connected CO-workers. Memberships start as low as $25 per month. Members and nonmembers can rent CO’s event space, which includes a projector, screen and full sound system ideal for parties, conferences, presentations or workshops. CO also has two round whiteboard-walled meeting rooms, available for as low as $20 per hour that offer a perfect setting for offsite brainstorming, photo shoots or client meetings.

“CO was launched a year ago by a group of us who believe that the future of work will be defined by shared resources and the power of cooperation and collaboration. We had a vision for a hub in Rhinebeck that would serve creatives, freelancers and people starting and running new businesses and community-engaged projects,” said Hélène Lesterlin, co-founder and co-owner of CO. “We are growing day by day. We see connections being forged here. We have gotten to know and work beside a wide variety of CO-workers, and we have partnered with a stellar group of regional organizations, including Luminary Media, the Good Work Institute, the HV Startup Fund, and Accel7, to offer workshops and events. We’re looking forward to the year ahead, as we continue to hit our stride, build our community and create new ways to come together. And, we are thrilled with our new road sign, which finally reveals the purpose of this mysterious, modern building on Route 9 to the thousands of drivers zipping by.”

CO co-owner and founder Johnny LeHane agreed that CO’s first year had been a fulfilling one and said the new sign was already having an impact.

“Our first year has flown by. It has been exciting and gratifying to meet all of our community members as they share their excitement about having such a beautiful place to work, meet and share their successes and challenges together. In just the last few weeks since the sign has gone up, it has been amazing to see folks walk in who had wondered what the space is, and are now excited to become a part of the community,” he said.

The sign was created by Kingston-based Timely Signs, which has more than four decades of experience manufacturing high-quality interior and exterior signs. The family-owned and operated business has a deep portfolio, counting IBM, Rhinebeck Bank, Rondout Savings, Dutchess Community College and the Bardavon 1869 Opera House among its customers.

“The building is such a unique structure. It was natural to want to bring that aesthetic out to the roadside,” said Paul Beichart, president of Timely Signs. “We worked with the CO team and with the architect’s sketch of the sign to build a simple structure with basic wood and metal elements that relate back to the building.”

In its first year, CO co-hosted numerous community-related events, including forums on housing and environmental issues as well as the state of local media. CO has also hosted art exhibits by local artists Kelli Bickman and Ryan Cronin. Cronin will be a special guest at the CO monthly mixer on Oct. 25, when he will talk about his experiences during his recent artist’s residence in Senegal during the month of September.

About CO

Located on Route 9 in Rhinebeck across from the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, CO is an event venue and coworking space for individuals, startups and local companies. The building, designed by local architect Frank Mazzarella, has a sleek modern look and is optimized for productivity. CO is cooperatively owned and operated; its business model mirrors its mission to serve and bolster a community of changemakers, entrepreneurs and business owners. To learn more, visit its website or follow CO on Facebook and Instagram.