The Lexington Writer’s Room, a nonprofit that provides subsidized working space for writers, is looking for a new space after a fire.
Last Thursday, the Lexington Fire Department responded to a fire on the 200 block of West Second street. The building housed a residence and office space. No one was injured in the fire.
Lisa Haneberg is board chair of the Lexington Writer’s room and said the 200-year old building had character, and the nonprofit will miss the space.
“The Lexington Writer’s Room occupied pretty much the entire first floor of the building, and 2000 square feet over six rooms, and so we had a good amount of space,” Haneberg said. “It was all very well appointed and furnished for the 54 writers that work and create in the space.”
The day after the fire, Haneberg said the nonprofit was working to salvage everything possible, but most of what was in the office can’t be saved.
“But we do have a provider helping us pull out a few tables, a few desks, a couple pieces of artwork that miraculously didn't get drenched. A few plants that seem to have survived,” she said.
The Lexington Writer’s Room is a space for writers to work and receive support from a community of writers.
“So for example, our open desk membership is $50 a month,” Haneburg said. “You can't go to one of the downtown coworking spaces and get office space for $50 a month. So we actually fundraise so that we can provide the space, the gathering space and the workspaces at a rate that many writers can afford.”
Haneburg says the nonprofit has paused operations and membership fees as it begins its search for a new space.
As of last Friday, the nonprofit had received $6,500 in donations.
“Which is just amazing,” Haneburg said. “We're just blown away by the messages that we're getting the encouragement that we're getting.”