Worthington Hills resident Neal Roberts knows what it's like to need an office.

As the owner of Adrenaline Branding, Roberts has worked out of spaces in his home and at coffee shops.

This experience is what led Roberts to open a new business in German Village that caters to small business owners. Roberts is the co-owner of Qwirk Coworking & Collaboration at 595 S. Third St., above G. Michael's.

The business, which offers office space, was expected to open its doors March 2.

Still, it's not your average cubical affair.

"The way I describe it to folks is it really is a viable, affordable alternative to working from home and coffee shops in terms of productivity," Roberts said.

What Qwirk offers is a way for small business owners to have office space and networking opportunities. There are options to rent desk space on a monthly basis or for only a single day.

Customers have access to traditional office items including conference rooms, printers and a lounge, among other things.

Roberts said he began thinking about starting the business five years ago.

"I really needed a way to be productive when my home environment wasn't working - when the cable guy shows up or the kids are home on a snow day, when all heck is breaking loose," Roberts said. "I would leave and go to Panera or a Kinko's or a coffee shop and it wasn't designed for a truly professional environment."

The impetus came while he was working a large project for his company.

"A few years ago, I was literally going to be on a conference call in the afternoon to pitch for a $100,000 project and sure enough, the power goes out at the house," Roberts said.

He said he went to a local coffee shop to use the Internet.

"I get on my cell phone and sure enough, five minutes beforehand, this group of high school girls comes in and they all order blended drinks," Roberts said. "That was the day that I started really thinking about buying a space and getting a 'real office.'"

On a day-to-day basis, Roberts believes up to 40 people will be able to use Qwirk, a variation on the word cowork. This would include people with dedicated desk space and walk-in customers.

"We are really trying to build something that is comfortable and fun to be in, instead of this big, sterile steel and glass thing," he said.

Roberts said the space will also act as a way for small business owners to meet and bounce ideas off each other.

"When you are in business, especially a micro business like an entrepreneur or a startup, productivity is one part but you live and breathe with networking as well," Roberts said.

For more information, go to qwirkcolumbus.com.

Dcross@thisweeknews.com