Emily Rose Duea joined The Coven's co-working space on a no-cost scholarship membership six years ago, when she was working as a yoga instructor but dreamed of running a business. Today she does: A Coven franchise of her own.
Duea is one of the first franchisees of the Minneapolis-based company, and is putting the finishing touches of a Coven location in St. Louis Park set to open this summer.
It's a big change from 2018, when she was living in affordable housing and was paying down student loan debt from the University of Minnesota. She took advantage of The Coven's policy of giving away free memberships to people with financial need.
"I was making just enough as a yoga teacher, plus making a small amount as an actor, but I knew it wasn’t sustainable," Duea said. "I needed the support of community to help me take my next professional step."
Now, her path falls in line with the growth plan for The Coven, which began franchising its brand in 2022 and has expanded to four locations in Minnesota and one in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Duea and her business partner Andrew Dibble are renovating a building in the Historic Walker Lake District. The nearly 6,000 square-foot building will feature two stories of co-working space, communal areas, 11 private offices, conference rooms, a prayer room, a kitchen and outdoor seating.
Dibble purchased the building at 6726 Walker Street in Jan. 2024 for $575,000, according to a Certificate of Real Estate Value filed with Hennepin County. Dibble said he started looking more into The Coven's mission and decided to use the space to partner with Duea for the franchise location.
Duea said there's a lot of excitement about the co-working space with 10 out of 11 office spaces already reserved and several founding memberships purchased.
While the space will have some of the same amenities as other Coven locations, the St. Louis Park space will have a different type of hospitality. Duea said the space will have a vibrant, cozy and mid-century modern feel when it opens in late July.
"That's the beauty of a community model," Duea said. "They can have their own flair specific to their location. We got a lot of inspiration from the original North Loop location for our design."
Duea said the co-working space will host quarterly events and partner with local brands, including becoming the new home of the Feminist Book Club. Through a partnership, the Feminist Book Club will host events exclusive to the St. Louis Park location.
Duea said she plans to adopt the same scholarship model for her franchise. Six years into her membership with The Coven, Duea said it has provided her with a truly unique experience.
"The Coven has given so much to me personally and professionally that I wanted to give back in some way," Duea said of franchising the St. Louis Park location. "All Coven locations offer a feeling of belonging and a level of connection that doesn't happen everywhere."
