April 2024 OurCommunity News

NOTES FROM LORI

April always brings a change in seasons, and this year, there's also a change in the air at OffiCenters. First, our remodel at International Plaza is well underway. Look for an improved collaborative coworking space that will be finished by the end of the month. Please hold open June 13 for a special Social Hour networking and REVEAL party. I’m excited to show off this new space to our work awesome community.

Next, I am so sorry to tell you that the landscape of our company will be changing with the closing of our Union Plaza OffiCenter location at the end of the month. We have been at our North Loop location for 33 awesome years. The last 4 years have been a struggle for us to keep our business running, with COVID and social unrest in the downtown area being the biggest reasons we’ve been unable to keep our space full. I presented different solutions to the building owners, but they have decided to go another route and are replacing us with a global shared office provider. This was not part of my plan, but we are taking it bravely and moving out of the North Loop. OffiCenters is joining the long list of companies that have not been able to rally and make it work in downtown Minneapolis. We are not looking for another space to replace the Union Plaza location and will instead be concentrating our focus on our suburban locations. It is bittersweet as we have so many great memories and members we have served over this long tenure. We will say goodbye on our last donut day on Wednesday, April 24 at 10:00 am. Our team is working diligently to get current members in their new workspaces. AND, to those who stay behind, I wish you nothing but success and extend my sincere gratitude for your business and friendship over the years.

Our community is buzzing with anticipation for a great Q2. Occupancy levels in our six other workspaces are at a five-year high. I'm proud of my team for the ability to stick together as we remain committed to providing our members with the best workspace community in the Twin Cities.

Lisa Christianson, President and Owner of Christianson & Company Real Estate Services and France Member, excels at helping clients make sure their commercial real estate aligns with their brand, employees, clients, strategic plan, budget, investment objectives and goals. Lisa's website has a blog page where she writes interesting articles on local business leaders. Her most recent entry, When Nothing is Certain, Anything is Possible, is an interview with Heidi Zimmer, a Real Estate Developer in the Twin Cities. Read the full blog HERE.

Jasmine Brett-Stringer, Founder of Carpe Diem with Jasmine and Edina Member, can be seen on WCCO (local station, Channel 4) and CBS News Minnesota as their Lifestyle Contributor. On a recent segment, Jasmine shares how you can celebrate spring by bringing a fresh look to your home with simple and affordable ideas. Jasmine explains how to conquer the dreaded "spring cleaning" and talks about one of the hottest trends for spring, the naked window. Watch her entire segment for tips to brighten your home and your mood HERE.

Bell Plaza Building, where France OffiCenter is located, is participating in the IREM Career Clothing Drive organized by the Institute of Real Estate Management during the first week of April. This drive will be benefiting PPL (Project for Pride in Living), and Sabathani Community Center. They need new or very gently used, clean, professional clothes for both men and women. Current fashion only; no outdated or worn clothing, please. Items can be dropped off at the 2nd floor lobby. To learn more about the clothing drive and what they need, click HERE.

Southern Social is a modern southern kitchen that specializes in smoked meats, southern classics, broasted chicken, and expertly crafted cocktails. They opened their first Minnesota location in Eagan during May of 2023, and recently announced they will be opening their second location in Woodbury on April 8th! Stop in to see their beautiful space and taste their new spring/summer menu items, featuring spring cocktails and daily specials. Also, there's a semi-private dining room that you can reserve for special events. Check out their full menu HERE!

ACTAI Ventures

ADS Enterprises

Advantage Solutions

Altafid

Astound Commerce

Beth Mutnick

Benjamin Greenberg

Billiam, LLC

Brook Shores Home Health Service

CY Enterprise

DC Auto Detailing

Eden and Company

ES Swanson Law

Expunge Me CE

H&A Transportation

Hich MN, Inc

Intuition Art

Law Office of Jackie L. Russell

Law Office of Rodd Tschida

Lifestyle Advisors

Lin Ying

Lovely Blends

Meta Realty

Michael Jon Rudnick

MLLW

Momentous Wealth Advisors

NoSortMeds

Nugra Import, LLC

ProWealth Financial

Quotables, Inc

REMAC Construction

Resource Capital Management

Ruby Home Health Care

Scuut International Transport

Sevyn Logistics

Star Light Trucking, LLC

That 1 Painter

United Building Contractors

Unity Community Care

Wilkin J De Los Santos Aquino

Yipper Toys, LLC

17 Years

Dolan Mediation

16 Years

J. Arthur Financial Services, Inc

14 Years

Shingle Creek Construction, Inc

11 Years

EMRA Alert

PEK Accounting

10 Years

LifeWave

Zaylore Stout & Associates, LLC

9 Years

Hunter Martin, PLLC

8 Years

Carma Laboratories, Inc

CMG Mediation and Family Services

The Retirement Asset Management Group

True Gravity Ventures

6 Years

Danner Legal

Green Oasis

5 Years

Sterling Oaks Consulting, LLC

Therapy Connections, LLC

AA Garage Door LLC of Woodbury

Celebrating our Work Awesome team!

Wednesday, April 24th is Administrative Professionals Day. Drop in for a donut along with informal networking and help us recognize and celebrate our team of dedicated Work Awesome Administrative Professionals for their invaluable contributions. From managing schedules, handling communications, ensuring smooth operations, greeting members with a friendly smile, and more, these amazing professionals are the unsung heroes who keep the wheels turning at OffiCenters. By celebrating their contributions, investing in their growth, and expressing gratitude for them year-round, we honor their devotion and can ensure a thriving Work Awesome environment for all of our members. Thank you to our OffiCenters team for your dedication, attention to detail, and tireless efforts. Here's to celebrating YOU and all you do!

Happy Retirement, Brian!

Brian Greenhalge is the engineer at International Plaza and is officially retiring on April 5th. He has taken excellent care of us, and our members, for over 15 years and we are very sad to see him go. Brian, we wish you all the best during retirement! Thank you for everything you have done for us. If any of our members would like to wish Brian well, the building is throwing him a retirement party this week. The gathering will be held on April 4th from 2pm-4pm. It will be located in the lower-level atrium of the International Plaza building. Cheers to the next stage of your life!

The Power of People Leadership Institute’s annual fundraiser celebrates and showcases their three core programs: Girls Taking Action (OneCommunity Members), Boys of Hope, and Re-Planting. Plan on a morning celebrating POPLI’s dedication to answering the call of their community and learn about the impact of their program directly from their girls, boys, mentors, volunteers and major sponsors. Play heads-or-tails to win prizes and leave feeling inspired. Get your tickets or donate HERE.

Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota, our OneCommunity partner, is continuing to celebrate Women's History Month by hosting their biennial conference on April 25th. This conference will include panel discussions, workshops, breakout sessions, structured networking and food, while teaching attendees to discover new innovative strategies and learn from their experiences. They are also thrilled to welcome keynote speaker, Kristi Hemmer! If you are interested in attending, learn more HERE.

Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund, OneCommunity Members at Minnetonka, have a busy spring and summer beginning on April 8th at Rock Elm in Plymouth. Purchase the Shaver Special for $20 and $5 will go to RSCRCF. Then, in May, order Ribs for Randy for $18 at Big Bore BBQ in Hanover, with $5 going to benefit Minnesota cancer research. And, Culvers has two ways for you show your support this spring. First, May 13th is their 10% Day of Giving where Culvers gives RSCRCF 10% of their proceeds for the day. May 13th - 26th is Change Makes a Difference at Culvers. Round up your order and donate your change! Rush to the Cure Gala and Celebrity Golf Classic will be on June 2nd and 3rd followed by the Shaver 5K Shuffle on August 3rd. Find out more about these events, register or donate HERE.

Meet Tina!

Tina is our Center Manager at International Plaza and has been with OffiCenters for over 12 years. We are very grateful to have her on our team! When we asked Tina what motivates her to come to work, she said, "The members are like my extended family. I like starting my day by making sure they have the tools and support they need to have a successful day." Her go-to snack and beverage are white chocolate Reese's peanut butter cups and diet coke. In her free time, she loves to go out and listen to local bands. One fun fact about Tina is that she has not called in sick to work once for over 12 years! Have you ever heard of that?! She also shared her biggest achievement is raising two amazing children and teaching them to become successful adults. Thank you for always having such a positive energy and being you, Tina! YOU'RE AWESOME!