Our History

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN KENDALLVILLE

Kendallville Coworking is a proud part of the Historic Downtown Kendallville organization. Historic Downtown Kendallville (HDK), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is an accredited Indiana Main Street and Main Street America affiliate. (TID # 87-4516318.)

231 Main was founded by HDK in 2023 and made possible by a number of partners and investors who recognized the needs of remote and home-based workers and opportunities the development of a place to gather, network, meet, and work would bring to the downtown corridor.

HDK is largely supported by volunteers who actively seek opportunities to preserve, develop, and grow the downtown corridor and nearby businesses by focusing on four major areas of advancement:

Marketing and Promotions
Economic Development
Downtown Design & Historic Preservation
Governance

Formerly known as Experience the Heart of Kendallville, the organization was integral in helping the City of Kendallville obtain a $600,000 grant from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) to upgrade the Main Street streetscape. The transformation began in 2020 and was completed in late 2021.

In September 2021, Kendallville was also named a PreservINg Main Street Pilot Community, one of only two in the state of Indiana. HDK stewarded a $2 million grant award to build organizational capacity and transform multiple downtown properties in an effort to preserve the historic integrity and further revitalize the historic district. None of the grant funds were used to launch 231 Main, though the enhancements made possible throughout the Main Street corridor largely contributed to the decision to open the new space.

HDK sponsors several events and festivals downtown every year to bring vibrancy and new customers to the many locally-owned, small businesses that occupy the historic district that is registered on the National Register. 231 Main routinely organizes and hosts workshops and events to support local small businesses and entrepreneurs. In addition to the Board of Directors, volunteers are also invited to serve on various committees for HDK.

For more information, please visit: https://www.kendallvillemainstreet.com/