Molly and Dan Hernandez, owners of Cooperstown Coworks at 6 Doubleday Court, are celebrating the first anniversary of the launch of their business.
The husband-and-wife team opened the 5,000-square-foot space next to Doubleday Field in Cooperstown on June 1, 2024 for people who work remotely and want an alternative to working from home.
“The business was Dan’s idea,” Molly Hernandez said. As a software engineer, her husband has worked remotely in Troy and New York City for years.
He said, “Once Molly and I had a little one, it was tough to get work done from home.”
Initially, Dan rented a space to work in Cooperstown. When the couple saw the property available for sale, he said they decided to buy space, formerly occupied by a dentist’s office and an Adirondack Furniture store, initially buying half of the building.
What’s offered
There are multiple price options to access Cooperstown Coworks. Day passes for visitors and tourists cost $29. Month-to-month shared desk memberships start at $139 per month. Student memberships are $99 per month.
“If you work from a coffee shop and buy a few lattes, they might cost $5 each,” Molly said “It can add up fast.”
Kay Nikiforova, a customer, got a membership at Cooperstown Coworks during a month-long stay in a nearby town.
“I travel full time and struggle to work from home,” Nikiforova said, “so I’m always trying to find spaces to do that. I’ve had issues with bad Wi-Fi, noise and lack of space in coffee shops and libraries. Not so at this space. The location is very convenient and the space itself is gorgeous, welcoming, with plenty of room.”
Those who opt for a private office are allowed to bring their dogs to work. The fees cover use of a full kitchen with free coffee, tea, seltzer and snacks, and free parking on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who need a conference room with a smart TV and strong WiFi can rent it by the hour.
Alternative space to gather
Molly Hernandez was born and raised in Cooperstown and graduated from Wells College. Before becoming a full-time mother, she worked for the Fenimore Museum in development. Organizing events and galas is among her skill sets, she said.
She is well aware of the meeting spaces available in Cooperstown and wanted to give the community an alternative space to gather that is not “cost prohibitive,” she said.
Cooperstown Coworks has hosted baby showers, bridal parties, birthday parties and a women’s self-care event. Event organizers rent the space they need and bring or cater their own food.
“We host a monthly networking event, usually the last Wednesday of every month, called Fun Professionals Network,” Molly said.
The owners chose all the decor themselves without the help of an interior designer. There is art on all of the walls that is for sale.
“They are all regional artists,” Molly Hernandez said, “and the Henry March Gallery (owned by James Matson) coordinates with the artists to show their artwork here. Several pieces have been sold, and they are swapped out periodically. All proceeds go to the artists and to the gallery.”
Another customer, Benjamin Resnick, said Cooperstown Coworks has made it way easier for him to work remotely when he visits Cooperstown.
“Great place to get work done, with delicious coffee and really cool art and designer furniture,” he said. “Molly and Dan have done a fantastic job.”
Julia Hickey said she “came for the high-speed internet and stayed for the uplifting atmosphere.”
Molly Hernandez said she loves seeing the community come together.
“The most rewarding part is how well everyone gets along,” she said. “We created the right setting for the kind of community we want to build.”
After starting their business, the Hernandezes learned that a coworking space was part of Cooperstown’s strategic plan for revitalizing the village.
“We live here,” Dan Hernandez said. “We want to make it better.”