Waterbury will soon have its first coworking space and creative retail hub, called TREEHOUSE, in the historic village. Like the new business’ name implies, the site has been hiding in plain sight for years, is perched above downtown, and will focus on creativity, imagination and playfulness.
TREEHOUSE is a venture by Joseph Pensak, co-owner of the Phoenix Gallery & Music Hall and Waterbury Studios. Set to open in March, it will offer a mix of coworking stations, studio offices for lease, and retail space that includes a new and used record store, a used bookshop, and a spot to buy sandwiches and coffee.
About eight months ago, Pensak was working at the Phoenix when Jeffrey Larkin, who owns several buildings in Waterbury Village, approached him about checking out some commercial property that had sat vacant for five years. Larkin told Pensak that he was impressed with the Phoenix, which opened on Stowe Street in 2023 and quickly became a community hub for music, art and events.
When Pensak toured the nearly 4,000-square-foot upstairs space, he was floored. Though it doesn’t look like much from the street, the inside features high, vaulted ceilings and skylights, which provide abundant natural light. Located at the top of Elm Street above McGillicuddy’s Irish Pub and adjacent to Vermont Beer Collective, TREEHOUSE is surrounded by Prohibition Pig, Hen of the Wood, Blackback Pub and the Reservoir Restaurant & Tap Room.
“This is the best location you can possibly imagine in Waterbury,” Pensak said. “You’re right in the middle of everything.”
Choosing a name for the new venture was a no-brainer, he said. Miraculously, a business search of the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office website revealed that “treehouse” was still available.
“A treehouse is a magical space,” Pensak said. “What a great name for a space where people can work, dream and come up with new ideas.”
The entire space has been freshly painted and outfitted with new floors and high-end gallery lighting. One side of the business will offer coworking spaces, similar to those at Hula in Burlington. It will feature hot desks, Wi-Fi with high-speed internet, and privacy booths for video and phone calls. One of the bathrooms has a shower so that commuters can run or bike to work and then wash up before their workday. Plus, there will be discounts on grab-and-go sandwiches and gourmet coffee; the details are still in the works.
“I just really miss having good coffee in town,” Pensak said, referring to PK Coffee, which closed two years ago.
The other side of the business will feature a second location for Autumn Records of Winooski, owned and operated by Greg Davis, and Treehouse Used Books, which Pensak likened to Crow Bookshop in Burlington.
“We’re encouraging people in Waterbury to buy their new books from Katya [d’Angelo, co-owner of Bridgeside Books],” he added. “And when you’re done reading them, come over and we’ll potentially buy them from you.”
For the eight dedicated offices, Pensak has already confirmed two tenants: Willow Tree Journeys, a studio for private yoga and Reiki sessions run by Hillary Lindsay; and Matt LaRocca, a musician, composer and senior lecturer at the University of Vermont, who often performs at the Phoenix. Pensak envisions the rest of the studios being occupied by artists, architects, graphic designers, or Chittenden County professionals or retailers looking to expand into Waterbury.
Calling TREEHOUSE his “dream project,” Pensak plans to relocate his own offices there and will curate all the artwork in the building.
One condition: His business loan from Northfield Savings Bank is contingent upon him getting letters of intent from prospective tenants by January 15.
TREEHOUSE will open in March at 1 Elm St., Waterbury. Follow @treehouse________ on Instagram for updates. Prospective tenants can contact Joseph Pensak at joseph@thephoenixvt.com for tours of the space.
This article appears in Jan 8-14, 2025.
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