LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Bottega Exchange, in the southwest Las Vegas valley, is continuing to operate in honor of its owner, who passed away from breast cancer
For those who have never heard of Bottega Exchange, it’s a prominent co-workspace in the southwest valley. Owner, Kelli Despain passed away from breast cancer in early December and now the business is doing all it can to continue on.
“It’s her legacy so we want to continue that,” Heather Maxey, with Bottega Exchange, said. “We expanded last year in the thick of Kelli’s chemo and we opened up another 17 offices so we have 38 offices in total right now and we have no plans in slowing down.”
Bottega Exchange is home to a diverse range of businesses, including a chiropractor, a cleaning company, a jewelry store, and a property management team.
Catherine Francisco, with the AAPI Chamber of Commerce, said this was a perfect location for her team to get work done as they just moved in 7 months ago.
“We wanted to stay in the southwest part of town. 30% of the AAPI community resides in the southwest valley so when we saw Bottega Exchange, we thought it would be the perfect fit,” Francisco shared.
Despain’s vision was to build a place that would help small businesses and promote entrepreneurship. Her husband, Jared Despain said it’s not just an office space, but a place to build community. He plans to continue his wife’s work the best way he can.
“I feel like I have to carry it through. Through the pandemic, she worked her other job to make sure this stayed afloat. It’s important to the people who are here and our family,” Jared Despain shared.
Recently Despains family and local businesses rallied together for a celebration of life ceremony in her honor. Kelli was 45 years old.
Just this past year, before Despain’s passing, Bottega Exchange nearly doubled in size moving into the space next door. The property now spans about 12-thousand square feet.
Open workspaces are still available for those interested.
