TRYON – Adam Marcello, owner of Black Coffee in Tryon, has announced he is starting a “space sharing” concept for local entrepreneurs.

According to Marcello, space sharing involves having local chefs and entrepreneurs rent the facilities at Black Coffee, like his commercial kitchen, to use for their own businesses.

“It is a popular thing in the modern economy for businesses to have more than one use,” Marcello explained. “It’s not limited to an urban setting and it allows business owners to think outside the box as a long term strategy.”

Black Coffee is in one of the three buildings renovated in 2016 as part of the Missildine’s project on South Trade Avenue. Marcello said he does not want to leave the space “underutilized” after the renovation project was completed.

“Black Coffee is focused on the coffees and beverages, we’re bringing in smoothies and ice cream drinks and we have a menu but we’re looking for another idea that can fill this space,” Marcello said. “We’ve been here for three and a half months and we’ve learned the community tells you and shows you what they want to see.”

Marcello added he has been able to sell more food than he thought he would going into the business and said the business is growing its customer base.

By sharing the space, Marcello explained the business would be paying half the fixed cost of rent and utilities and added the business could use their own customer base and make their own food with his commercial kitchen.

“I would like to see another food-based business or someone with an idea complimentary to what we do,” Marcello said. “The ideas have to go before the owners of the building before anything is approved.”

Coffee sales dwindle around lunchtime, according to Marcello, and he said someone could step in to run their business after 3 p.m. during the slow hours at the coffee shop.

“There are lots of ways to do it and I’ve seen two restaurants occupying the same building with two separate bars but with the same seating space in larger cities,” Marcello said. “We have brand new equipment with a 99 sanitation rating and it’s less expensive to borrow someone’s kitchen rather than having to build a business from scratch. Someone can take advantage of the work I have done and focus on their craft.”

Marcello said anyone interested in the opportunity should contact him at blackcoffeetryon@gmail.com. Black Coffee is located at 15 S. Trade St. in downtown Tryon.