By Andrea Belcham
Telecommuters, artists and community groups can now get a room with a view at a new communal work space in Alexandria. The Glengarry Hub has recently opened its doors and offers short-term office and studio rentals for people seeking a space to work remotely, host classes or assemble for meetings or conventions.
The Hub occupies the second floor above The Glengarry Market, in what were formerly the offices of the Township of North Glengarry. Now the space is newly renovated and segmented into several smaller rooms, each for rent, with a larger central room for communal working or community gatherings. The Hub offers excellent overhead lighting, and artists will appreciate the abundance of natural light from the many windows – including large windows in the central room that offer a panoramic view of Alexandria Mill Pond.
Other features that will appeal to renters include washroom facilities, a separate washing station for art tools, a coffee counter, a printer and WiFi access. The office rooms are each furnished with a spacious desk and comfortable chair, and banquet tables and chairs in the studio room and central room can accommodate group meetings. Table and floor easels are also available for use.
The Glengarry Hub is the brainchild of Alain Legault and Jessica MacLeod, a husband-and-wife team who are long-time residents of North Glengarry. While both are accustomed to working at home – Legault as an I.T. consultant for the financial sector and MacLeod as a book editor and indexer – both were also ready for a change of scenery. They knew they weren’t alone in that sentiment and started looking for a large enough space for what they had in mind: a distraction-free public space where people can focus on their work, but also assemble to “learn, create and connect,” as MacLeod describes it.
“To have the choice always makes it better,” adds Legault of the services they wish to provide to professionals and artists. It was important to the couple that they offer flexible options to appeal to a wider range of renters; as such, individuals can book a space by the hour, the day or the week. They welcome enquiries from professionals, art teachers, yoga instructors, authors looking for a venue for their book launch and others, and are keen to welcome other Alexandria businesses and organizations to their space to foster community connections. Clients can book a rental using their website or by email.
The couple feel lucky to have found their present space, which they lease from The Glengarry Market. “Having this beautiful view through our windows and the café below us was very appealing,” remarks Legault.
MacLeod is herself an art instructor offering classes and Studio Time at The Hub. A former art and English teacher at Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute, she is an artist who enjoys various media and currently leads a drawing class for teens and adults.
“Working now as an editor and indexer, I spend a lot of time on the screen. It’s good to get back to some teaching,” she says. MacLeod also plans to lead creative writing classes at The Hub.
As a freelancer, Legault divides his time between visiting his primarily Montréal-based clients and working remotely. He appreciates that The Hub offers him, too, an alternative to working from home.
In a post-pandemic world, many others can benefit from the opportunity offered by The Glengarry Hub’s founders: to be productive and comfortable in a welcoming space close to home.
The Glengarry Hub is located at 90B Main Street in Alexandria. Learn more at glengarryhub.ca or by emailing [email protected].
