Born from an entrepreneur’s vision, built for everyone chasing theirs. At The Loading Dock, we’re creating space for people who don’t wait for opportunity, they build it.
The Loading Dock was founded in 2016 by Philip Freeman, Founder and CEO of Murphy’s Naturals, to bring together impact-driven leaders and entrepreneurs.
Meet Philip Freeman
Philip began his business journey in his garage, where he spent three years developing Murphy’s Naturals. When it was time to fully commit to his growing company, he leased his first space — only to outgrow it within six months. Forced to juggle multiple storage units and subleased warehouses, Philip saw firsthand the challenges of scaling within rigid, long-term leases.
That experience led him to Dock 1053, where Murphy’s Naturals expanded from 2,000 to 20,000 square feet. With extra space available, Philip envisioned a shared workspace that offered coworking, office suites, cowarehousing, and event space — designed for entrepreneurs who needed room to grow without the burden of high costs or inflexible leases.
Our flagship campus at Dock 1053 was originally built in 1955 as a regional distribution center for The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P). Innovation has been part of this property’s DNA since day one, and today, The Loading Dock continues that legacy — fostering creativity, collaboration, and positive impact across our community and beyond.
Work and flourish together
Today, our members, from solo founders and nonprofits to growing startups and established companies, embody the spirit that inspired The Loading Dock’s creation. They collaborate, innovate, and give back, using our shared spaces as launchpads for ideas that strengthen our city, region, and state. Their success stories are what continue to drive us forward.
Our Mission
To cultivate diverse & collaborative work communities, promote entrepreneurialism, and inspire a culture of doing good.
Our Vision
The Triangle area is nationally recognized as a hub for socially-conscious business.
Our Belief
Throughout all Loading Dock campuses, you will see our mantra: Do well. Do good. Better Together.
We believe that as businesses flourish in their profitability and health, they are positioned to invest in their local community.
With 1,200 members and growing, we believe The Loading Dock ecosystem has a unique ability to inspire a groundswell of “doing good” in the world.
At The Loading Dock, it is our greatest hope to cultivate leaders who will harness their power for good.
We believe that companies offer the agility needed to quickly address the needs of their community.
We believe businesses can provide the capital to assist such needs.
We believe businesses can provide the innovation and financial acumen to be strategic and wise in their approach to solving complex issues that humanity is faced with.
At The Loading Dock, we are committed to deepening business practices that will create a more just, equitable and sustainable world; but our greatest hope is that our members will be inspired and empowered to do the same. Out of the collective impact of hundreds of businesses working together, we will be able to fund, support and engage in the needs around us.
Commitment to Doing Good
As a Certified B Corp, The Loading Dock, is committed to using our business as a force for good. Certified B Corporations (B Corps) are companies that have completed a demanding assessment process to prove they meet high standards for environmental and social impact.
The Loading Dock is committed to deepening business practices that will create a more just, equitable and sustainable world; but our greatest hope is that our members will be inspired and empowered to do the same. Out of the collective impact of hundreds of businesses working together, we will be able to fund, support and engage in the needs around us
Purchase Local
When we buy from independent, locally owned businesses, rather than national chains, a significantly greater portion of our money is then cycled back through our local economy, to make purchases from our friends’ businesses, to aid our neighbors in need, and to support local, ultimately strengthening the base of our whole community.
Giving
We give 2% of revenue to local nonprofit organizations that build community, enhance education, support entrepreneurialism, provide workforce development, and/or support and uplift minority groups.
Hiring
The Loading Dock is committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Volunteerism
We will be hosting at least one quarterly volunteer opportunity for all full time staff, and we are committed to engaging at least 5% of members in volunteerism.
Growing Leaders
We provide at least one professional development training every quarter to employees. These trainings may be around corporate responsibility, safety, leadership, hospitality, sales, finance, or other pertinent topics.
Environment
We are developing a local, sustainable network of suppliers to the extent possible; and when goods are purchased from afar, we will do our part to source items that are recycled, compostable or sustainably sourced if available. We also commit to ordering one time per week, per vendor, per campus in order to limit unnecessary deliveries and greenhouse gas emissions.
