Working from home isn’t always as idyllic as one might think.

There’s the dog, for one. And the phone. And the always-beckoning refrigerator. (“Eat the leftover cheesecake,” it whispers.) And the dishes in the sink that really ought to be cleaned up. And the occasional solicitor, lawn-care guy or squirrel. (Dog goes berserk, again.) And when the kids get home from school … well, you get the picture.

Coffee shops are great — especially here in Kane County — but not always the easiest places to work, either.

So what’s a digital-age, work-at-home-kinda-guy or gal to do?

As it turns out, there’s a business for that. It’s called “coworking,” and it’s a trending business model that has a chance to invigorate and maybe even reshape the face of downtown Geneva. The concept has been experiencing increasing popularity in recent years, even extending as far as Asia (共享辦公室是什麼).

After searching for appropriate space for 10 months, Catalyst Coworking, LLC has found a home for its first location — the long-vacant former US Bank building that spans most of the block of Hamilton Street between North Third and North Second streets.

Reflecting the 25 N. Third St. address, this former US Bank building will become 25N Coworking, according to a pair of press releases issued by the company. The company has high hopes that the Geneva location will be the first of many, and it will share plans and membership details for the Geneva locale at an off-site open-house event that takes place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Eaglebrook Country Club, 2288 Fargo Boulevard.

25N Coworking Community Founder Mara Hauser says finding the right space and location was tedious, but now that construction is under way, the excitement is growing as the calendar ticks off the days to Jan. 5, the expected opening of this “new way to work.”

“When building owner Ashland Ventures showed us this mid-century building, originally built as National Tea Grocery, we knew we’d found our first location,” Hauser said. “We are developing over 10,000 square feet on the first floor into a coworking space with a café, private meeting rooms, lounge area, showers and many other amenities. We are changing the way you work.”

According to Hauser, the idea is to be a resource and a professional environment where entrepreneurs, freelancers, virtual employees and even larger businesses will have a place to come in to work, network and collaborate with others. With private meeting space available for groups of two to more than 20 and a large list of amenities, including concierge service, she suggests that larger corporations will find 25N Coworking an attractive location for professional, off-site meetings.

Annual memberships begin at $250, which gives members access to desks, meeting space and community events. Various plans offer flex space with day pass, monthly pass and 10-packs available. In addition, dedicated space is available monthly. Day passes and monthly contracts are available for private space as well.

Meeting and project rooms are available for purchase by the hour or day. Other services available are a virtual mailbox address, catering, business advisory services, print center, concierge office services, audio-visual equipment and daily lunch deliveries from local restaurants.

For more information visit the 25N Coworking website, contact them via email hello@25ncoworking.com or call (630) 409-1030.