Dispatch from SSC Intern Jason Wirick

Do you know of a restaurant that only serves dinner and opens late in the afternoon? Have you ever walked around a US city’s business district and noticed many businesses closing in the early afternoon? Many US cities’ prime commercial spaces are underutilized because of social trends and the nature of some businesses.

In Julia Levitt’s article on Worldchanging.com, she describes an establishment that has two operational businesses under one roof. During the day it serves breakfast burritos by one business owner and four nights a week it is the Momo Shack operated by another owner. There is an agreement between the two businesses that operate at different times of the day and week to share the space. What a great way to utilize the existing built environment.

In Shea Gunther’s article from MMN.com she comments that:

Sharing space makes a lot of sense on many levels - ecological, financial and even from a marketing point of view - the novelty of a roving restaurant or split personality space is a great way to differentiate in an often-crowded market, especially if you're catering to green-minded customers.

Sharing a space makes sense for small business entrepreneurs trying to enter the market place. When using a shared space a chef would only need a health and safety certification and they could then work in any licensed space. Lowering entrepreneur’s start up costs by sharing spaces is a great way to jump start new business enterprises while utilizing existing buildings. Could other non-food service businesses share commercial spaces?