By MADDY VITALE
Working remotely from home for months can be lonely and claustrophobic. Coffee shops may be great for sipping espresso, but don’t make for good, makeshift workspaces. The alternative is somewhere in between.
The newest example is DriftSpaces, located in the heart of Ocean City’s downtown at 956 Asbury Ave. It offers a boutique-like office setting with a combination of “big city co-working spaces and the small-town lifestyle that Ocean City, New Jersey, is famous for.”
And the flexibility allows it to be more than just office space. There is also the option of using it for event space — from corporate retreats and offsite meetings to private parties.
DriftSpaces is owned by married couple Caitlin Quirk and Drew Lewis. Quirk also owns Bowfish Kids children’s boutique in the downstairs of the building.
Both Quirk and Lewis spoke about the desire among professionals who work remotely or have hybrid flexibility for a community atmosphere.
“There is definitely a need for it. The office isn’t dead, but there is a new type of worker out there. There are millennials and others who are used to working from coffee shops,” Quirk said in an interview.
She continued, “DriftSpaces gives a more elevated experience than that. When you are at a coffee shop, there are all of these distractions. When you come to DriftSpaces, you are there with the same purpose as everyone else.”
Here are some of the amenities at DriftSpaces:
- A dedicated semi-private desk
- Use of shared kitchen space
- Access to one of the Quiet Pods
- High speed, secure internet
- Free coffee and tea
- Day passes
- Mobile furniture to make every retreat or event fully customizable.
- Sustainable break space, no single use items
While there are all different ways to use DriftSpaces, renting a space by the day, week, year or season, a Day Pass in the offseason starts at just $10 a day. Pricing is available by visiting the website at driftspaces.com.
The hours are flexible. People can come to work as early as 6 a.m. or stay as late as 10 p.m.
“The way the space works is, we have our staff here, but it is fully remote and accessible. As long as people can book in advance, they can come in as they want,” Quirk noted.
Quirk, who is the president of the Ocean City Downtown Merchants Association, spoke of the history of DriftSpaces. It originally opened at one of the worst times — March of 2020 — just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
They reopened in 2021 and developed a loyal customer base. They recently joined the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
On Tuesday at 12:45 p.m., there will be a ribbon-cutting with Quirk and Lewis and members of the Chamber of Commerce to officially celebrate the opening of the business.
“One of my favorite things about the space is that I don’t think I’ve met anyone with the same job,” Quirk said. “They are all working professionals. We have people in the tech industry, government and healthcare. The types of jobs are so vast.”
For people who are listening to or doing a presentation or podcast, booking a Quiet Pod may be the way to go, Quirk said. For those who love the outdoors, there is an outdoor workspace that has secure internet.
And for those who would like to put on an event, there is space for 45 people.
“The space has frequently been rented out by CEOs for corporate retreats. And what better way to spend a few days or a week of team building than at a space in Ocean City, where the beach and all its perks are right outside the door,” Quirk said.
Lewis, a New York Times Magazine journalist and author, said DriftSpaces offers a special touch.
“Anyone can offer a workspace, but it takes creativity and experience with working remotely to understand it,” he said. “Both Caitlin and I understand that because of the work we do.”
In the morning, someone is there. Either Quirk or Lewis or other staff greet the guests. Over the past few years, Lewis said the people have become more than just customers.
“Some people are booked for a week in the summer when they come down to Ocean City each year. They are like friends now. I know their names and I know their stories. It’s nice to have those connections,” he noted.
DriftSpaces separates itself from other temporary workspaces by offering character, Lewis emphasized.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the space, he continued, is the Wednesday community lunch, which brings everyone together, from the Day Passers to the long-term members, to take a break, swap stories, and get to know one another.
“A workspace needs character,” he said. “My job is remote, and I know how important it is to have a space with character and being with like-minded people.”
For more information visit driftspaces.com or call 609-525-4109 or email at hi@driftspaces.com.
