The Nelle — a ‘third space’ for women and LGBTQ+ creatives — closing its doors Jan. 31
January 26, 2023 | Startland News Staff
Lauren Saks Merriman is proud of The Nelle HQ’s two years in the Crossroads Arts District, she said, recalling its impact as a genuine environment for empowered thought, inclusion and connection.
“We set out to offer a safe space for inspiration and community,” said Merriman, founder of The Nelle. “And that’s exactly what we’ve accomplished.”
But after six years of fulfilling that mission, a changing economic landscape led Merriman to announce the business’ closure, she said. Jan. 31 is expected to be The Nelle’s final day. All non-trade or gift-based annual memberships will be refunded for their remaining terms in the coming weeks, Merriman said.
The Nelle was built to host and serve through elevated amenities and programming — specifically for individuals who are typically underserved, like women and members of Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ community, she explained. Such amenities included a gym, boxing, arts spaces, quiet workspaces, a screening room, and a conference/events venue.
Since its earliest inception in 2017, inclusivity and the arts has been central to The Nelle’s mission. Its 65 person membership catered heavily to artists, non-profits and essential workers. It filled a need for a “third space” between work and home that enhances lives through elegant amenities and unique programming, Merriman said.
The Nelle donated workspace to local artists for the creation of large-scale visual works, she added. Its artist residence program hosted local artist Mark Allen who was able to build a portfolio during his residency that helped in securing a spot at Pratt, one of America’s top art programs. It hosted Kansas City Art Institute, Art as Mentorship, Midwest Innocence Project, the Missouri Caucus and the Kansas City Symphony.
The concept for the space came to Merriman after she moved to Kansas City from Chicago, where she had joined city clubs and wanted to bring a similar experience to Kansas City.
Click here to learn more about the story of Nelle HQ.
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
After $1.25M seed round, Sprint alumni credit KC roots for Rogue Games’ agility, hungry hustle
At just over 2 years old, a formerly indie mobile game publisher is rocketing to the top of its industry, with one of its founders attributing LA-based Rogue Games’ success to its origins in KC. “We take pride that our Kansas City roots have given us an edge in the industry, to be honest with…
KCMO ready to do business with marijuana startups; entrepreneurs of color see ‘catalyst for empowerment’
A green rush is soaking up sunshine in Missouri, and if attitudes of state officials, businesses owners and marijuana advocates are any indication, Kansas City is fertile ground for the movement. “We have a huge diversity of business opportunities,” said Rick Usher, KCMO assistant city manager for entrepreneurship and small business. Usher is spearheading the…
Calendar update: Startup Weekend KC event postponed until fall, organizer says
Entrepreneurs hungering for intensive, organic product development will have to wait a few more months for their fix. Techstars Startup Weekend KC — originally slated for April 26-28 at the SafetyCulture North American Headquarters in the Crossroads — has been postponed until September, event organizer Rebecca Dove said. The annual “three-day long sprint to launch…
Most-funded tech startups: $100M-plus investment puts PayIt on the map with C2FO
Companies in the Midwest and South are making major plays for investment dollars, according to CB Insights, with Kansas City’s PayIt and C2FO earning spots on the latest map of the nation’s most well-funded tech startups. “The tech boom has diffused beyond the traditional hotbeds of California, New York, and Massachusetts, across the entire United…