How WorkSmart Revived a Glens Falls Landmark: An Interview With Christy Alexander
By Lydia Faye Grossman
After my most recent visit to beautiful downtown Glens Falls, I found myself wondering what it is that makes the town so charming. The weather? The location? The businesses? I quickly came to find out, it’s all of that AND the people.
Every restaurant, shop, and business that you step foot in greets you with a genuine warmth that you don’t find in just any town. This energy clearly enriches the experience of both residents and visitors alike, and produces a thriving business district.
To dive further into this energy, I sat down with Christy Alexander, owner and founder of WorkSmart Coworking and Meeting Space.
When you walk into WorkSmart, you instantly enter an atmosphere that inspires you to attack the workday.
The people are vibrant and friendly, the building is welcoming and energizing – it’s as if each space is designed for your own personal productivity.
My goal with Christy was to capture exactly how this energy is achieved. Here’s what she had to say:
Q: How did your original vision for WorkSmart shape your expansion into the bank building?
When we launched in 2018, coworking was a new concept to most people in our region. Launching WorkSmart in our original space gave me a chance to introduce coworking locally and test the waters.
I researched and anticipated people's needs, but being able to watch how members really connected and to hear their feedback directly was incredibly valuable.
That experience helped me shape the layout and the kinds of amenities I prioritized.
I looked at both the big picture and the local one. Keeping an eye on global trends in entrepreneurship, coworking, and office landscape helped me spot where things were heading. And I also paid close attention to what was unfolding right here in Glens Falls.
For example, there was some discussion around a test kitchen at the 14 Hudson Ave and South Street redevelopment projects. Kitchens like these are popular in coworking models, but knowing that others were already exploring that idea freed me up to focus on other ways I could deliver value to our market.
From the beginning, my vision was clear: create a space in Glens Falls where entrepreneurs, freelancers, and creatives could gather, work, and thrive.
Community has always been the heartbeat of WorkSmart - going beyond business card swaps and surface-level relationships to create meaningful connections.
Expanding into the historic bank building let me take everything I'd learned and go deeper. I could continue to grow that ecosystem and give the community more of what they needed.
Q: How did you honor the building’s history while transforming it into a workspace for modern professionals?
This is a great question, and it was really important to me to get this right. The First National Bank building is this iconic marble building in our region!
The Beaux-Arts design, the capitals, the large windows, and even the old bank safe are all amazing historic elements. I felt these features deserved to be seen. Not just for their grandeur, but also for the craftsmanship, elegance, and resilience they represent.
These decorative details are reminders of a city that rebuilt itself with strength and optimism after devastating fires. The builders sourced materials locally because they believed in the future of our region.
That spirit is still alive here. Exposing these elements tells the story of vision, passion, pride, and prosperity.
Generations before us poured into this region, and now, that same energy continues as a new generation walks through these doors. Founders, freelancers, nonprofit leaders, and professionals all building something of their own.
Q: How did you approach sustainability in the renovation?
To me, sustainability is a form of care for the planet, for the building, and for the people who use it every day.
The materials chosen, the LED dimmable lighting, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and sustainable design choices reduce impact. They also create comfort. I wanted our Glens Falls coworking space to support people through long workdays.
But sustainability here goes beyond the building itself. By sharing resources and reducing waste, we're not just being more sustainable; we're making more possible together than we could alone.
That same care shows up in how we support people. Everyone’s work life looks different, and we’ve built WorkSmart to flex with that.
Some members are scaling startups, shifting careers, or launching side businesses, and some just need a quiet place to think. We don’t expect anyone to fit into one mold. People and their businesses go through seasons, and we're here for all of them.
Q: What’s your personal favorite room in the building and why?
Honest answer? I don't have a favorite. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of the contributions I’ve been able to make in the renovation of this historic building.
Helping to breathe new life into something with such a storied past felt like a privilege. But my excitement was never really about the building itself.
What I love is the impact. We're contributing to the region's economic development, helping small businesses grow, and helping people reach their goals.
The building is beautiful, but without that mission driving it? It's just a well-renovated space.
What makes it special is knowing that someone's going to walk through that door today and make real progress, maybe on their work, maybe through a conversation that sparks something new.
The People Make the Place
Christy's right. WorkSmart isn't just about the marble or the historic details or even the design.
It's about what happens when people show up, do work that matters, and help each other move forward.
That's the energy you feel here. People building their businesses, growing their ideas, becoming who they're meant to be.
If you're ready for a workspace that actually helps you grow, check out WorkSmart Coworking & Meeting Space.
Because the difference between surviving and thriving often comes down to who's in your corner and what kind of support shows up when you need it most.
Lydia Grossman
Lydia is a freelance writer specializing in small business blogging, copywriting, and editorial writing. A graduate of the University of Scranton with a degree in English and Journalism, she began her professional career in marketing while pursuing her passion for writing, establishing herself as a trusted voice for local businesses and publications. Her work centers on helping small businesses share their stories, strengthen their brand voice, and connect with their communities.