Staples opens its first in-store co-working location and cafe in BC

Staples has opened its first newly renovated store in Western Canada that features a new retail experience and its unique take on co-working.

Last week, the company relaunched its Kelowna store at 2339 Highway 97 North with Staples Studio, a new concept in-store co-working office space that is open 24/7.

• See also:
  • Staples is completely revamping its brand and launching co-working spaces
  • A new co-working space just opened in Strathcona (PHOTOS)
  • WeWork opening a co-working office on Howe Street in downtown Vancouver
  • Chinatown House opens as Vancouver’s newest community and co-working hub

Co-working options at Staples Studio include the usual hot desks from $89 per month, private offices from $600 per month, and meeting rooms from $30 per hour. Drop-in co-working rates are also available.

Members have access to free Wi-Fi, free coffee and tea, a lounge and community kitchen, phone booths, an auditorium-style event space from $150 per hour, and discounted in-store printing.

Solution Shop. (Staples Canada)

The renovated Staples Kelowna store with Staples Studio co-working. (Staples Canada)

The renovated store also sets aside space for a new third location of Kelowna-based Marmalade Cat Café.

With the new retail component, the company says it has thousands of new products, robust tech and connect assortment, interactive displays, and expanded services in its Solutionshop concept. Following the newest brick-and-mortar retail trends, a far greater focus has been placed on diversifying and providing an experiential retail environment.

The renovated Staples Kelowna store with Staples Studio co-working. (Staples Canada)

“Our new retail experience is performing well in other markets, and Kelowna’s entrepreneurial and student community made for the perfect climate to introduce this concept in Western Canada,” said David Boone, CEO of Staples Canada, in a statement.

“We have witnessed Kelowna’s evolution over the past 21 years and want to help fuel this thriving community with top of the line products, a wide range of services and a brand new coworking space. Our aim is to be a place for communities to gather, learn and exchange ideas.”

The renovated stores with new retail, co-working spaces, and amenities are core to Staples’ plan to rebrand itself as the Working and Learning Company. Six other stores have already seen renovations with new co-working spaces under rebrand, including locations in Richmond Hill, Oakville, Toronto, Kirkland, Laval, and Montreal.

The renovated Staples Kelowna store with Staples Studio co-working. (Staples Canada)