Free Public Workspace in NYC Launched by Wix.com

Online, August 3, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Are you a designer, writer, illustrator or photographer dreaming of workspace in New York City? Your day has finally arrived. The brand new Wix Lounge located in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood is providing creative professionals with free, unsolicited workspace. Visitors can stop by to get some work done, arrange meetings with clients, or just hang out with industry colleagues.

Located in a posh 2nd floor loft at 10 West 18th street, the Lounge officially opened to Manhattan's creative community just yesterday. A "Reveal Party" was held last Thursday, July 29th, where hundreds of excited members of New York's creative community gathered to toast the beginning of an exciting new concept.

Equipped with free Wi-Fi, cappuccinos, creative work-walls and comfort seating, the Lounge is a dream come true for NY artists and designers who can't foot the bill for their own private office.

Wix Lounge Director, Victoria Monsul, offered some opening remarks at the Reveal Party last Thursday: "This is something [we] designed with you guys in mind...Come here, work, utilize the space to meet clients, drink coffee on the house, network...This is completely for you."

How is this all free you might ask? Wix.com is providing the space. A successful start-up company based in New York, Wix has experienced steady growth since its inception in 2006. Wix developed a powerful website builder , free online software that enables the average online user who otherwise would lack the programming required to make a website alone. Users may upgrade to premium accounts to gain additional site features. This "freemium" model is how Wix earns its money.

The company is taking its New York community more seriously, and has opened the Wix Lounge to establish a more tangible presence.

Wix states there are no plans to monetize the Lounge. Rather, it is a place of inspiration, creativity and collaboration, in the name of innovation and quality web content.

At the Wix Reveal party, free drinks and funky music contributed to a lively atmosphere. Excited guests took pictures in a Photobooth, posing with quirky signs and props, to capture the Wix spirit. Free giveaways included Apple shuffles and other product freebies handed out to a special few in attendance. And of course, demonstrations of the Wix platform were provided.

Guests were even given the chance to vote on Lounge hours of operation.

Monsul said, "We have a very liberal program here...if you have a suggestion, I'll do my best to address it and incorporate it into the Lounge."

Wix released the beta version of its free website builder in June of 2008. The company is based in New York with offices in Tel-Aviv. Wix is backed by investors Mangrove Capital Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners and Benchmark Capital. Over 4.5 million websites so far have been built with Wix' free website platform.