New coworking studio and venue opens in Cooper-Young

For photographer Lisa Mac, creativity springs from a clean, well-lighted place—but locally roasted coffee and goodies certainly don’t hurt. She is the proprietor of Studio688, a coworking studio recently opened in the heart of the Cooper-Young neighborhood at 688 South Cox.

“When you’re in a boring place, an ugly place, a cubicle, it’s hard to grow, feel creative, or feel like you’re improving,” Mac said. For a monthly membership fee, she provides a brightly-colored curated space with ample room for freelancers or entrepreneurs to work. Regular members get 24-hour access and dedicated desk. Moderate coworkers can visit the 3,500-square foot studio on specific drop-in days. Everyone gets access to the art, photo and video equipment and the Reverb Roasters perks.

In addition to a coworking space, Studio688 also serves as a performance and workshop venue.  Local musicians Idle&Wild and Deering & Down as well as burgeoning dance collective Racine + Southern Dance Exchange have already graced the space. Studio members get to host one free event per month, and Mac is looking to grow her workshop offerings.

“The biggest benefit is what we learn from each other,” Mac said. “We cowork and spend time helping each other build each other’s brands. The goal is to not only make this a successful coworking space but also  a creative agency of freelancers, so that we can do projects together, or if we get a client that needs graphic design and photography, we can  team up and do it together.”

Whether it’s photographers, artists or fashion designers looking to get out of their coffee shop nooks or wedding planners looking for an alternative venue—Studio688 is sure to have space for everyone.