When your building has a car crash through the front door, most operations might come to a screeching halt.
A car was pursued by the police, lost control, and slammed into the building’s entry. The car caught on fire, but the driver was pulled to safety.
Oh, and this is the second time in the last few years that a vehicle has caused so much damage to the building.
But CoSquare in Caswell County, North Carolina, didn’t just recover—it evolved.
This coworking space, which also serves as an economic development hub, is run by Operations Manager Kayla Collins, who wears just about every hat possible. And she has seen the highs and not to highs that happen to all coworking spaces, but particularly when one has to close for severe structural damage.
"When I started, the space was full," she shared. "I’d love to see that again."
CoSquare opened in 2020 to help locals get online and stay connected—especially during the pandemic, when only 30% of the county had home internet access.
The space includes:
But in March 2024, the space had an involuntary “remodeling.” A car crashed through the front doors, causing structural damage and even sparking a fire. The building closed for six months, during which many members found other spaces to work.
“People got out of the habit of coming in,” Collins said. “Now it’s about building that habit back.”
Repairs stretched into August of that year, and operations didn’t fully return until September.
So, to attract old and new members and generate revenue, Collins is turning CoSquare into a community event space after hours.
She’s working on new rental policies and pricing, acceptable event types (no Thanksgiving dinners—but yes to baby showers!), and hosting local gatherings like Arts Council events and farm-based organizations.
The space is also promoted via:
Despite limited marketing tools, Collins is building momentum through word of mouth and consistent community presence.
With no full-time staff, Coworks software has become Collins’ operational backbone.
There are key software features she relies on including:
“The announcements tool is my favorite. I can send a message to all members in five minutes,” she said.
Coworks also helps Collins generate critical reports for grant renewals, track plan data, and manage the calendar.
Even though broadband has expanded thanks to a partnership with Spectrum, the need for a centralized community hub hasn’t gone away.
Executive Director of the Caswell Arts Council Karen Williamson said, “Having our office here in CoSquare gives us more visibility, more foot traffic, and the opportunity to interact more frequently with local businesses.”
Among the other tenants at CoSquare are a couple local organizations like the Caswell County Chamber of Commerce, Piedmont Community College, and a few local nonprofits.
“It’s about who you’re sitting next to—not just having Wi-Fi,” Collins emphasized.
CoSquare continues to host:
CoSquare is living proof that coworking can thrive outside of major cities. It's a story of resilience, community, and the power of one passionate person making a difference.
And with the right tools—like Coworks—it’s entirely possible to rebuild and reimagine what a local coworking space can be.
See how Coworks can help power your space! Book a demo today.
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