The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
BUILDING’S REBIRTH
Charlton Abbott aims to blend history, modern technology in community hub
“Everything about this place will be to support the community endeavors.” — Ken Boyd
Ken Boyd has a goal for the Charlton Abbott Building — blend historic renovation into modern technologies to provide professional services to community-based businesses in Willoughby.
The building, located at 37903 Euclid Ave., will have virtual offices for rent, conference rooms, event planning and outdoor gardens for use, as well as being a mail, printing and shipping hub, said Boyd, the building’s owner.
“Anything you need to run your business,” said Boyd, noting that many service industries don’t necessarily need a fixed location anymore. “We’re looking for The Charlton to be similar to what it was 200 years ago — a
hub for the community for information and networking not only for the professional business use, but the nonprofit charitable component.” Additionally, through this project, Boyd is looking to create sustainable revenue for nonprofits in the community and internationally, he said, supplying to ministries focused on battery and homeless shelters, and food pantries. “Sus Hijos / His Children is an organization based in Central America where we help orphans attain both vocational skills and educational skills so they are better prepared for life’s challenges,” Boyd said. Shared work environments can be great work incubators for small businesses that maybe can’t afford to rent space full time or can’t afford to have a staff, but still need to meet with clients, said Willoughby Mayor Robert Fiala. “I think there’s value in them and I hope (Boyd) succeeds,” Fiala said. “(Boyd) is offering 21st century business services from state-ofthe-art IT, mailroom and shipping, logistics, private offices, co-working space and conference rooms. A WeWork environment is the best way to talk about it. It’s a unique thing for Willoughby.” When the project was first submitted, the city Planning Commission was concerned. Questions of whether the space would be a shared work environment or if it would be a party center were mentioned, Fiala said. “The developer assured us that its primary goal is shared work space and that these other common areas are really meant for members of the shared work space,” Fiala said. “The questions Planning Commission had have been resolved and it’s been approved by Planning Commission.” The Charlton Abbott Building is named after the original trading post that was in Fulton and known as The Charlton back in the 1790s, Boyd said. “It was the first name to Willoughby before it became Willoughby,” Boyd said. “Paul Abbott was the person who, in essence, founded the area, which was known as the Ohio Delta and now known as Willoughby. The trading posts at the time were for food, directions and any goods for business services.” Although not set in stone, Boyd believes the space will be open after Labor Day. Open hours to the public will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. “Right now, it’s just the supply chain issues,” Boyd said. “We have some historic furniture; we’re supporting artists in the community; we look to do a lot of consignment work to help support them. The cafe — we will be looking to support the restaurants in the local areas. “Everything about this place will be to support the community endeavors.” And Boyd sees the concept growing beyond Willoughby. “This is the first one and we’re trying to create it in a scalable way where we could take it to other communities that will see the model, and look to serve its community members and its charities in a consistent, sustainable way.”