LAKELAND, Fla. – A new co-working space and cultural events center is coming to Lakeland.
- Well Done Events coming to Lakeland
- People will be able to rent office, conference rooms
- The owner hopes to have it open by summer 2019
The company, Well Done Events, is working with the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency on the contract.
Dr. Sallie Brisbane-Stone, owner of Well Done Events, plans to turn a vacant building at the corner of Parker Street and North Florida Avenue in Lakeland's Midtown area into a collaborative workspace and cultural events center.
"There's a movement here in Lakeland to become more culturally diverse and inclusive and there are many people who have the potential to launch their business and come to the table and participate at that next level," Brisbane-Stone said.
Dontae Jenkins is one of those entrepreneurs who plans to become a member of the new space.
"It will provide an opportunity for me to expand and scale my business," Jenkins said. "I think it also opens up a platform to other minorities, people of color and otherwise marginalized groups who might not have access to use facilities like this."
He wants to play his saxophone for events and also use the proposed commercial kitchen for his mobile gourmet business.
"Seminars, expos, the kind of things that go along with my brand," Jenkins said. "Music. You know my saxophone. All of those things are things I would do here on a weekly, monthly basis. I can't wait for it to open up."
There will be a large event space and also space for people to rent offices and desks, as well as conference rooms.
"In the evening, there's a cultural twist which focuses on the arts. Where there's live music or open mic or a comedy or an event sponsored by one of the businesses," Brisbane-Stone said.
Brisbane-Stone is currently looking for sponsors and businesses that would like to become members and use the co-working space. She hopes it will open during the summer of 2019.
The property is owned by the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency.
The agency plans to spend a maximum of $350,000 to help with renovation costs.