Prescription Shared Space, a new Community Partner of the Chamber of Commerce, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday Sept. 13.

Owned by Shannon and Mindy Cooney, the shared workspace and small business incubator currently houses seven member businesses – Hand & Soul, Reflections by Raigs, Cooney Hospitality Group, RePurpose Development, LLC, Shelia Cisco, Spero Family Services and Living Life with Lulu.

Prescription Shared Space first opened in July of 2023 with its anchor member, acquiring the rest over the course of the next 12 months.

“It’s been about a year since we opened the space. I think we’re finally functioning the way we envisioned the space to function,” Shannon said shortly before the ceremony. “[The space is meant to] lessen the burden of rent and utilities and internet and printers for folks that are trying to get their businesses started. “

Mindy said Prescription Shared Space is yet another step toward enhancing the downtown atmosphere in Centralia.

“It’s really inspiring to see action down here,” said Mindy. “We envision a 24/7 downtown. How do you get that - By businesses being down here and giving people a reason to be down here with businesses to support.”

Morgan Taylor, owner and operator of Hand and Soul as well as the newly formed non-profit, The Sunshine Project, which will also operate out of the space, said she also found the Cooney’s operation to be inspiring.

“Like Shannon said, this is a small business incubator, and it has worked really well for me to not only have access [to the community] but to be downtown as a small business,” Taylor said. “I love this space. It’s my home away from home, and I’m very happy to be here.”

Speaking on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, director Marcus Holland said, “To see this kind of business in our downtown is exactly what we have envisioned for a long time…we appreciate this space to be able to offer more opportunities to new businesses to hopefully grow our community.”

Prescription Shared Space is open for public rentals, and includes a podcast studio, conference room and more.

Prescription Shared Space

310-977-7165

226 E. Broadway, Centralia, IL