Norwich – Foundry 66, the new shared workspace for small and start-up businesses is offering small businesses a chance to participate in a traditional holiday party usually reserved for larger establishments.

The Norwich Community Development Corp., which runs Foundry 66, will host a small business holiday party from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 at the shared workspace at 66 Franklin St., the former Norwich Bulletin building. The event will be catered by These Guys Brewing, a brew-pub restaurant located next door, and will feature music and prize drawings.

Tickets are $20 per person for Foundry 66 shared workspace members, and $40 per person for non-members. Registration is required by Tuesday. Call NCDC Marketing Director Miria Toth to register or for information at (860) 887-6964, or by email at miria@foundry66.com. Registration also can be done on Foundry 66’s Facebook page.

“Tis the season for holiday parties, and we understand that it’s hard for a small organization to have a holiday party,” NCDC’s invitation to local small businesses said, “so join us and celebrate with other small businesses.”

Toth said the event is geared for small businesses who either cannot manage the logistics or the cost of hosting a Christmas party, or for those who work at home or as a satellite employee to a larger company with its home base far away.

“This is a good chance to get out, meet some other small businesses from the region, do some networking, and check out the space.”

The party also will serve as a marketing opportunity for Foundry 66, which offers business space and services to small and start-up businesses. The facility includes office space with shared business services, such as a copy center, meeting rooms, wifi and a small kitchen and coffee stand, flex desk space or open lounge space for client meetings or interviews.

The facility is recovering from a fire that damaged half its main floor space, furniture and equipment on Oct. 15, just one day after hosting a grand opening celebration.

“We are trying to get small businesses into the space, to get them to come in and look at it, and we know it’s really difficult if you have a small business with just a few people, to have a holiday party. It’s fun to be with a crowd of people.”

c.bessette@theday.com