One of the last places that I had on my list of Atlanta Coworking spots was Bean Work Play Cafe, a neat (and very different) coworking spot that is both traditional productivity venue plus childcare for working parents.
Located right in Decatur [Google Maps] you have access to a number of great spots to eat as well!
Talk about a win-win-win (childcare, productivity, food) in that regard!
I instantly felt very comfortable as the founder, Adela, greeted me and quickly showed me around the place – the front area (accessible from the rear) being childcare with very neat facilities for 1 to 6 years old and then in the back where you can hold meetings (various conference rooms available) and the coworking area with simple (and clean!) kitchen with individual rooms for even greater productivity.
Take a look at some of these images, as well as an interview with the founder, that give a general idea of the overall experience:
Easy to get to and tons of parking space available!
A few thoughts from the Founder:
[tentblogger-vimeo 41765880]
That’s Adela right there at the front desk, being the first person to say “Hi!” when you walk in. What a gracious host!
She also have quite the resume, working at such large places as ING America as the Director of HR! Her vision for BWPC is:
We wanted to create a new model for working and caregiving that fits the modern family.
And… I think she does really “get it”…!
Little “spy holes” on the kiddos!
They even have swag!
And, here’s where I worked for the day:
I really enjoyed my time there that day – I felt that the area was comfortable, the noise level wasn’t as bad as you might think (didn’t hear any screaming kids, good sound management!), and the location and parking was convenient and hassle-free.
The seating was comfortable (I liked my seat!) and the people were friendly but very productive (very focused moms who know they have little time to waste!). For the working class with kids this would be a great place to hang out, for sure.
But it’s not just for casual browsing, the internet speed was very decent and so I didn’t feel held back in anything that I needed to get done either. I was very happy with the speed in fact – just take a look at the SpeedTest!
If you need a place and you’re in the Decatur area then this is a spot to check out. Sure, there’s another place just down the road for coworking but you don’t get nearly the same environment!
Check out these other Atlanta Coworking spots!
What are those Dr.Who portals behind your laptop in the last image?
Is that where the screaming kids go to get beamed to a quieter place?
LOL! those are private rooms for productivity.
Ah, that is where the parents go to get beamed away.
Or should I say “beaned”?
Although it would add to the overhead and there would be some legal logistics to overcome, it would be neat if she offered part time daycare. That way busy moms or dads could leave their kids there for a few hours to run business errands in town.
i think she does… …
I work at Bean
Members can drop off their children from 9-1. (gotta be a member, and has to be the morning)
So members in the morning can either drop off to run errands etc., or they can stay and cowork.
1-5, all parents stay and cowork. No drop off option then.
Great post! Thanks, John.
Carol