GROWTH STORY
They thought they could do it from their garages – then scaled from 2 to 18 nonprofits in one year
Bridge to Basics at a glance:
Brand new nonprofit unsure if garage operations could work; needed central location with loading docks for bulk orders and pallet deliveries
Flexible warehouse space with built-in shelving, 24/7 access, loading docks, and ability to scale up or down
Grew from 2 to 18 nonprofits served; upgraded from smallest to medium unit in 3 months; all-inclusive pricing simplifying budget forecasting
Kristie Thibodeau and her co-executive director launched Bridge to Basics in spring 2024 with a model nobody had tested: take the food bank concept and flip it to hygiene products. Personal care items top nearly every nonprofit’s wish list because federal programs like SNAP and WIC don’t cover diapers, deodorant, or toothpaste. Families receiving food assistance still can’t buy the hygiene essentials they need to start and end their days.
The model made sense. The execution strategy seemed less certain. Maybe they could run operations from their home garages while they figured things out?
One year later, Bridge to Basics serves 18 nonprofits across the Twin Cities metro from a WareSpace facility they’ve already outgrown once. The garage idea lasted about as long as it took to realize they’d be ordering in bulk and receiving pallet deliveries.
Before WareSpace When Garages Won't Cut It
When Garages Won't Cut It
Bridge to Basics launched in March 2024 with plans for their first distribution in May. During those two months of figuring things out, Kristie and her co-director considered running operations from their home garages.
The consideration didn’t last long. They’d be ordering from wholesalers receiving bulk shipments on pallets. They’d need central location accessible to both themselves and the nonprofits they’d be serving across four Twin Cities metro counties. They’d need storage for inventory that other organizations would depend on receiving reliably. Home garages weren’t going to work for any of this.
A friend in commercial real estate started shopping traditional warehouse space based on their specs. He came back with bad news: they couldn’t afford the options available, and the lease terms required commitments a brand new nonprofit couldn’t make.
He asked if they’d looked at co-working warehouse spaces. Kristie hadn’t heard of the concept. A quick Google search turned up WareSpace. They toured the Eden Prairie location and the St. Paul location, realizing St. Paul offered what they needed.
The timing worked because a family foundation grant gave them enough cushion to sign a year lease comfortably. They self-funded that initial hygiene distribution and moved directly into warehouse space instead of attempting garage operations.
“We thought after researching the way some others were doing it, that maybe we could do it out of one of our homes garages. But we quickly knew that that was not going to be the case.”
Kristie Thibodeau Bridge to Basics
Making the Switch Finding Flexibility to Grow
Finding Flexibility to Grow
WareSpace St. Paul provided the infrastructure Bridge to Basics needed from day one. Central location accessible to their nonprofit partners across four metro counties. Loading docks for receiving both Amazon packages and multi-pallet wholesale orders. Built-in shelving eliminates the capital expense they couldn’t afford. Equipment such as pallet jacks and flatbeds are available to them at no cost.
Their GM, Mike, accommodated what Kristie calls their “weird requests” while helping them figure out logistics operations they’d never run before. The 24/7 access mattered because a nonprofit runs on volunteer schedules and odd hours.
The conference rooms solved an unexpected need. Bridge to Basics holds quarterly board meetings on-site now instead of coordinating off-site locations or cramming everyone into someone’s home.
The community aspect exceeded expectations. Small business owners from various industries offer help constantly – extra hands moving pallets, equipment tutorials when they don’t know how something works, donated excess inventory from Amazon retailers operating in the building. Other nonprofits share resources, networks, and ideas. Everyone knocks on doors asking “need help?” and actually means it.
Freight companies appreciate delivering to WareSpace because electric pallet jacks and proper equipment make their jobs easier compared to typical warehouse deliveries.
WareSpace provided exactly what Integrity HVAC required without excess square footage. The small team needed modest workspace, but the dock doors were non-negotiable. Large equipment deliveries from manufacturers required semi-truck access with proper loading infrastructure.
Conference rooms solved the client meeting challenge. Kelly books space every couple weeks to host groups of up to 10 people. The rooms include screens for laptop projection, PowerPoint presentations, and professional finished workspace where she can invite colleagues and clients without home distractions.
The location in St. Paul’s manufacturing district placed Integrity HVAC near parts suppliers and other HVAC-related businesses. Central positioning meant easier access for the team and convenient proximity to the commercial clients they serve.
Where They Are Now Scaling Without Stress
Scaling Without Stress
Bridge to Basics started in WareSpace’s smallest available unit. Within three months they’d outgrown it and moved into their current medium-sized space. Looking around that space now, they’re outgrowing it again.
The flexibility keeps operations manageable. When bulk donations arrive that won’t fit in their current unit, they can lease additional space temporarily. The lease structure commits them for specific periods while allowing size adjustments up or down depending on inventory needs and donation timing.
The organization grew from supporting 2 nonprofits at launch to serving more than 18 now. A substantial waitlist of additional nonprofits seeking hygiene supplies indicates continued growth. The centralized warehouse location helps them get smarter about bulk purchasing, accepting large donations, and distribution logistics.
Revenue has stayed strong as people respond generously to the mission. The need is enormous, and hygiene items remain the most requested on nonprofit wish lists because there are no subsidies to purchase them.
Distribution days run smoothly. Nonprofit partners pull up to loading docks, Bridge to Basics staff wheels everything out, partners load their vehicles and leave. The dock access eliminates the coordination chaos that would plague residential or inadequate commercial locations.
The all-inclusive pricing simplifies budget management for an organization trying to forecast expenses and manage donor funds responsibly. One flat monthly rate covers rent, taxes, security, utilities, everything. No surprise bills. No separate line items to track. Budget certainty matters tremendously for nonprofit operations.
Security features work well. Someone’s always on-site regardless of when Kristie arrives. Individual entry codes track access. Manager Mike stays on top of everything, alerting tenants immediately if he notices anything questionable.
“The flexibility that WareSpace offers here is life-changing for our work because we can scale up, we can expand for a short term, we can contract if we need to, so it’s just been wonderful to help us kind of grow and adapt.”
Kristie Thibodeau Bridge to Basics
What They Love Predictable Costs, Flexible Space
Predictable Costs, Flexible Space
For Kristie, the WareSpace community stands out most. Smart people from different industries sharing best practices, physical help, resources, and networks. The collaboration happens naturally – nonprofit tenants sharing resources with each other, small business owners donating excess inventory or offering bulk purchasing at reasonable rates, everyone literally available to help move pallets or troubleshoot equipment.
The central location makes distribution logistics work. Nonprofits across four metro counties can reach them easily. Wholesale vendors and freight companies deliver without complications. Staff can get there from their own homes reasonably.
Having everything on-site—equipment, shelving, conference rooms, loading docks, 24/7 access—means Bridge to Basics focuses on their mission rather than logistics infrastructure. They understand their inventory, storage needs, and distribution processes because the physical space supports learning those operations.
The scalability matters most for an organization growing this rapidly. They’ve already upgraded once and will likely need more space soon. The ability to expand temporarily during bulk donation periods or contract if revenue shifts gives them operational flexibility most commercial leases don’t offer.
How long does it take to sign a lease and move in?
What’s included with my rental?
Your rental at WareSpace comes with a comprehensive range of amenities and services designed to simplify your operations and maximize efficiency. Here’s what’s included:
- Loading Docks – Access to shared or private loading docks, making shipping and receiving seamless.
- Racking Systems – Available in select units to optimize your storage capacity.
- Property Taxes – Fully covered as part of your rental agreement.
- Utilities – Electricity, heating, and cooling included in your rent.
- High-Speed Internet – Fast and reliable internet to keep your business connected.
- Maintenance Services – General building maintenance, including repairs and upkeep.
- Cleaning Services – Common areas and exterior spaces cleaned regularly.
- Landscaping – Professional landscaping to maintain a clean and professional exterior.
- Security – Secure facilities with surveillance and controlled access.
- On-Site Parking – Ample parking for employees, visitors, and business vehicles.
- Shared Facilities – Access to common spaces, including conference rooms, kitchens, and restrooms.
- Waste Management – Trash and recycling services included.
- Community Perks – Networking events, tenant support, and other resources to help your business thrive.
Are there loading docks available?
Every location is designed to have the right amount of docks so there will never be a traffic jam and always be enough or the tenants to share. Most locations have 3-5 docks that are shared by the community. Traffic jams have never been an issue.
What different size options do you have for space?
Yes, all of our buildings are secure. We have interior and exterior video surveillance, access control and other methods of keeping it secure while still allowing controlled access for members, their guests, visitors and logistics deliveries.
Find a WareSpace near you
►
Explore 3D Space