Jackson Heights Life

Hi.
Our work is as diverse as our ethnicity, and so many here are dynamic artists, writers, theater folks etc...where do you do your work in the neighborhood?
E77 seems to discourage it, but I for one benefit from writing and researching among other like minded folks.
The library and Cafe Bene are pretty good spots, and I've even enjoyed Staples on 93/Roosevelt.

A friend and I are talking about opening a co-working space here.
Would you be interested? The model encompasses day rates, membership and rental for meetings.
Please share your thoughts.
In the meantime, I'm off to E77, til I get that look, or fast reprimand.

I'm a freelance writer and currently I work from my living room. I used to have a membership at Paragraph (www.paragraphny.com) and was really productive there for many years. But their rates kept rising and there were ongoing issues that were disruptive for me (heat not great in winter, A/C not great in summer, people glueing paper or painting their nails in the workspace). Also note, their space was a three-story walk-up, so not for anyone needing an accessible workspace.
The great things about Paragraph: secure members-only entry (so you could step away from you computer relatively confident that no one would run away with it), a dedicated quiet (no talking, no eating, no phones) space for writing, outlets at every work station, a bathroom and kitchenette, lockers for storing chargers, etc., regular networking events with agents & editors, and monthly member gatherings. Paragraph just opened a second location; unfortunately, it's in Brooklyn.
I've looked for replacement spaces in Manhattan (as there are none in Queens) and haven't found anything within my budget and within what I consider commutable distance. I also checked out WeWork and found it expensive and not particularly conducive to writing. Spacious https://www.spacious.com/ has some interesting venues (mainly in Manhattan), but their hours end early for me and often don't include weekends. Also, restaurant spaces tend to be a crapshoot in terms of noise, seating options, and access to outlets.
All this to say, I'd definitely be interested in checking out a JH co-working space. 

I think a co-working space would be a great addition to the JH scene. Are the upper floors of the Bruson building rented out yet?

I am also on the hunt for a good place though I have a full-time job and only do the "cafe writing" after hours or on the weekends--my personal writing.

E77 has sensible limits--if you were them, would you want someone to buy one cup of coffee then occupy a table for 5 hours?-- but as far as I am aware, if you observe their rules (sit at the big table and only on weekdays or weekday evenings when they are not having events) they don't bother you, reprimand you, etc. They will do that if you sit at a small table and start to work. I have always been able to find a seat at the big table.

However, with weekends off limits at E77, I have tried other spots: Ricky's (felt weird there), El Rico Tinto (that was okay), and I was planning to try Fresh Spilt Milk. I've seen people with laptops in there recently. Personally, I don't like the feel of Caffe Bene. I always buy lunch or dinner, drinks, etc, because if they are busy I feel like it's not right to take up a table for a long time without spending more money than a cup of coffee.

It would be great to have a space, but I'd probably only do it if it were very affordable, or accessible for an hourly charge. Since I don't freelance full time, I would not want to pay a substantial rental fee. Paragraph sounds great but probably is too much money and too far to commute. So yes, I'd be interested if it were affordable. I need to be away from the distractions at home, the cats, the spouse, etc.

Yes, but I want to come up with a different funding model. I like the cafe aspect of having drinks and snacks.

This thread is a great resource!

I too have had no trouble working at the big table at E77 on weekdays; seems reasonable to me they want to reserve the little tables for people more likely to be meeting someone for lunch, etc. I love working there.

Tea Cup Cafe at 77th & Woodside is a good spot with wifi too. (Haven't been in a while but went there often when I lived closer.) It can be loud and a little crowded (it's quite small-- one row of seats), so not good if you need perfect silence, but I like that it's open late (often till 11pm).

Does anyone know how Oda in 969 Coffee feels about laptops? Am I wrong that they have wifi there?

A little further afield, I also like Coffeed; good wifi, tables, they leave you alone, rarely crowded. Communitea in LIC is a favorite working place for me; a beautiful, comfortable space with great food and drinks. (Sometimes can get overrun with little kids—but then so can E77. Does not really bother me!) Not remotely convenient but Bean Square in Bayside is large, solid wifi, lots of tables, feels almost office-y. And of course there are a number of good cafe options in Sunnyside and Astoria now (Tea Plus cafe a favorite for writing/working).

The JH library is good; the beautiful renovated Elmhurst branch is even better.

Also, I have not explored this for myself (seems an odd pairing), but Brooklyn Boulders in LIC has a coworking space:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sethporges/2017/02/24/brooklyn-boulders-climbing-gym-co-working-space/#2e6d84747dc0

And of course there are two WeWorks in Queens now. Great to learn about Austin Space, and really cool that people are thinking about a co-working space in Jackson Heights. I think it would really fill a need—so many creative people, freelancers, work-from-homers, writers, part-timers, etc here.

Not to go too off topic but another neighborhood need I've heard people talk about is artist studio space. The closest are way over in Astoria/LIC/Qboro Plaza (not counting one I know of in Woodside), and seems there might be spaces on Northern, in Corona, etc that could work.

However, with weekends off limits at E77, I have tried other spots: Ricky's (felt weird there), El Rico Tinto (that was okay), and I was planning to try Fresh Spilt Milk. I've seen people with laptops in there recently. Personally, I don't like the feel of Caffe Bene. I always buy lunch or dinner, drinks, etc, because if they are busy I feel like it's not right to take up a table for a long time without spending more money than a cup of coffee.

What IS F'r'e''sh''' Sp'i''l't Mi'ilk like? Is it cozy?

About a year ago, Terraza was testing the waters with Wifi, coffee and empanadas during the day. The terrazza space would be a great work space for me if they put in cafe tables. Now that they seem secure in the space again, I'll ask.

If Brooklyn Boulders can do a work space, maybe one of our shops might be interested in doubling down. Heck we have momo's in a cell phone store.

It looks like the Brazilian clothing place, Made in Brazil may be GOOB. (going out of business)

Daisy--is leaving your laptop to use the bathroom somehow easier/safer in a library? I've never tried the libraries, so I'm really wondering. This thread is great because I have never heard of most of these co-working/writing spaces. I am in a WeWork in Manhattan for my full time job and also hate the trendiness, the frat house atmosphere, the piped in music in the bathrooms--so annoying to be blasted with rap music while in the stall! Not to mention dogs everywhere, running into your office, pooping under your desk--this seriously happened. I used to have a colleague who would bring her dog to work and other dogs would come to visit, and I'm sitting there trying to work while people are throwing toys and treats at the frolicking dogs. I realize some people would love this--not me. I do like to be able to eat/drink while working, though, so that's out at the library. I feel like it helps with the anxiety of writing.