Coworkly

This co-working space provides a place for freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses to work without the expense of renting a permanent office. Arar opened Coworkly in May 2018, inspired by his own experiences as a business founder and engineer; he saw a need in Ottawa for a space that catered to start-ups and businesses based on « bootstrapping » a sustainably profitable business model, as opposed to relying on venture capital and fundraising.

The membership-based business holds over 450 square meters of floor space that includes offices, meeting rooms, a large open co-working and event space, a quiet room for distraction-free work, and a recording booth for video or audio. The space also features a kitchenette and self-serve coffee bar with an espresso machine for much-needed caffeine hits.

Investment in Vanier has been one of Arar’s core policies from the start; he sees the co-working space as a way to attract entrepreneurs and businesses to a part of Ottawa they don’t usually visit. Speaking in a 2018 interview with Ottawa Business Journal, he said: « It’s up to me, to people in the area, to contribute to bringing people here.« 

The Vanier BIA itself has been a loyal customer of the business; with its office located in the same building and often hosting events in the Coworkly event space.

Take a tour of the space on the third floor at 261 Montréal Road!