A New Spot to Connect

The Huddle: a space to co-work and gather

During the first pandemic spring, when most people were quickly launched into remote work and zoom session after zoom session, Sara Emhof felt herself in need of connection. So she started hosting zoom calls where people could join just to hang out and chat and be playful at a time that didn’t feel very fun. Fast-forward to this week, when The Newport Chamber held an official ribbon cutting for The Huddle, a space she opened where people can meet and connect — in person. 

Located on the corner of Spring and Barney streets in Newport, the space is meant to be both a creative classroom and a meeting space. The mission, says Emhoff, is “to make meaningful connection easy by providing space and experiences that inspire connection, creativity and play.” So far, she’s hosted everything from music fundraisers to workspace for teams of people on company retreats. 

Emhof has also partnered with Newport Out, an organization in town that seeks to welcome and foster and the local LGBTQ+ community. Founded by Newport residents Daniel Cano Restrepo and Sean O’Connor, who are married, the group hosts experiences throughout the year and provides a listing of queer-friendly hotels, inns, bars and stores on its site, newportout.com.

Now, thanks to The Huddle, they will be hosting weekly “office hours” every Monday, when anyone can drop in, do work or just hangout. And, on every third Wednesday of the month, they host a book club at the space from 6:30-8 p.m. All are welcome.

For more information about The Huddle, visit thehuddleri.com.