By Elizabeth Kaplan, lizykaplan@gmail.com, Photographs by Margaret Fox, www.margaretfoxphotography.com
“I finally feel human again,” says Jennifer Kohl referring to her morning thus far at W@tercooler. Along with thousands of others, she lost power during Hurricane Sandy and along with it, heat and access to the Internet. Kohl, a mother of two young children in Irvington NY, usually commutes daily to her office at Young and Rubicam in Manhattan. Due to a powerboat deposited on the tracks of the Metro North Hudson Line, and various other track issues, trains have not been running. In addition to having access to power, Internet and hot coffee, Kohl is thrilled to have the company of others who share her tale of woe, including a good friend from a neighboring town who just happened to show up as well. “The instant community and connectivity has been a godsend for me,” says Kohl who was feeling isolated and out of touch.
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Located in the heart of historic Tarrytown, W@tercooler offers workspace options by the hour and day such as FlexDesks, meeting room and event spaces and all the amenities one needs to get work done.
W@tercooler is owned and operated by Jenifer Ross of Tarrytown. With about 40 full and part-time members, the space typically has anywhere from 5-10 independent workers sharing the space. Today, more than 25 people, locals and others from as far away as Katonah and Mamaroneck, are tapping away on keypads, taking conference calls in the phone booth, and repeatedly brewing up fresh pots of coffee. Today, every desk is taken.
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Emily Cantor usually works from her home office in Irvington, but her job selling Multiple Organics food products requires access to the Internet which she has not had since the storm hit Monday. “It’s a very comfortable place,” says Cantor, “I’m really very grateful to have it.”
Knowing that many people were without connectivity in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Ross made sure to put the word out online that W@tercooler’s doors were open for anyone who needed a desk, an outlet, or just a warm cup of tea and some conversation. She’s been open for extended hours starting at 8:30 am staying open as late at 10:00 pm if needed.
“She’s been really accommodating,” says Cathy Murray,” about Ross’s willingness to find space for anyone who needs one at this time. The conference table, normally two tables pushed together to make one large square, has been separated to create two tables with eight seats, all of them occupied; and the two console tables have been turned into desks as well. Murray, owner of boardmybiz.com, matches small business owners up with advisory boards. Unable to connect to the Internet, Murray is using the resources of the W@tercooler to catch up on her email.
“I couldn't have made my ‘work life’ work for the last few days if it hadn't been for W@tercooler!,” says Adam Glan of Sleepy Hollow, a journalism professor at CUNY in Manhattan, “It’s a wonderful work environment, plus great folks and lots of snacks! It's a town treasure.”
Day Pass: $35 (general hours, 8:30-5:30), $20 for Evening Pass (5:30-10:00)
Week Pass: $95 (general hours)
Hourly: $10
Printing: .10/b+w, .25/color, $3/fax
AMENITIES:
- WiFI and Ethernet Connection (35/35)
- Printing, faxing, scanning
- Private phone booth
- Kitchen with coffee and snacks
- LCD projector, TV, conference phone
- 10 minute walk to Metro North Hudson Line
