%203.png)
As a freelance blogger, my work-life balance scale is almost incessantly tipped.. well... off balance. And even though I love what I do, I know all too well the struggle to get motivated some days. Recently, I've found myself daydreaming about renting a small office space as a way to get out of the house and make clearer the boundaries between home, work and play. Even escaping to Panera, Barnes & Noble, etc. isn't cutting it anymore.
Options for co-working are often bleak and limited, and now even more so in the COVID era. Plus, for someone who’s whole industry is creative-based - not only do you need a space to actually crank out content, respond to emails and accomplish the nitty gritty - then comes the issue of finding natural lighting when your day switches into photography mode.
Well, folks, If you live in/around Upstate/NNY and you haven’t already heard, your problems have been solved. Say hello to the Lincoln Loft!
The Lincoln Loft is located - appropriately - in downtown Watertown's historic Lincoln building & is the sister company to Pretty Little Vintage Co., a boutique style rental company offering speciality and event rentals in Upstate NY. I first got to learn more about PLV through a styled shoot last fall over at Heritage Wedding Barn. The pieces they brought to the shoot were perfection, so when I heard they were opening the loft, I knew I had to get in there to take a look around.
Slideshow photography by Hannah Frederick, HF Photography
The owners, Chris & Bri, are a true dynamic duo, and they've combined their business endeavors in a way I truly admire. The Lincoln Loft is genius because not only does it provide a spot for entrepreneurs to co-work, collaborate & grow during the week, but it doubles as an event space on the weekend, providing a blank canvas that allows for beautifully styled weddings & other events. Or - rent the space for your next creative class or workshop! The opportunities are endless.
As soon as you walk in, you're immediately greeted with big windows, natural light & hardwood floors (my favorite things). Huge wooden tables span the room during the work week, giving you plenty of space to spread out. Think of the loft as a work/ meeting space, as well as place to collaborate with like-minded people. Oh yeah, did I mention there's bottomless coffee included in a workspace membership? Yes, please.
For months now many of us have been working, hell, even socializing, online, and now even college students are joining the remote life. Knowing finding space to work this semester might be tough, the Lincoln Loft has put together a special deal just for students! From now until the end of September (hurry hurry!) any student who books three months of coworking will receive a $25 gift card to their favorite downtown spot for a bit to eat/drink! Back in my college days, I know I could never study without a snack in had, so this sound like the ideal deal to me 😉
More info on memberships and pricing can be found here
For photographers, bloggers & small business owners - the Lincoln Loft also knows what it’s like to need a space to shoot, especially in cold NNY winters. With this in mind, the Lincoln Loft offers a few studio options that available for rent by the hour. You can even upgrade your studio rental with 1/2 any Pretty Little Vintage Co. rentals. YUP you heard that right. Styled shoots coming rightttt up! I can think of a couple of times this past winter that this would have been a life saver.
More interested in throwing your wedding or bridal shower at the loft? PLVC is for sure no new-kid-on-the-block - they've been in business for over 3 years, and offer special PLV x Lincoln Loft packages. That's right, with a capacity over 200+ guests, venue ✔️, rentals ✔️. Talk about one stop shopping.
What I love most is the space is elegant but still modern, open air yet cozy, and really stands to be timeless. Hoping more venues like this take off in CNY in the years to come!
Thank you Chris & Bri for letting me explore the loft - I hope we get to work together again in the future!
xx Jess
EXCITING UPCOMING EVENT AT THE LINCOLN LOFT:
Shop Local @ the Maker's Market
When: Oct 3, 2020 | 11-4