Inside Norkova: Finding Happiness Through Community

Tucked inside a warehouse-style building on the corner of 600 East and Simpson Avenue, Kate Allen has created something increasingly rare: a place to simply be and connect. Disco balls hang from high ceilings as sunlight streams through a large garage door window. Along one wall, a woman settles into her laptop at a communal table. Nearby, a Great Pyrenees naps on the cool, stone floor. Just a few nights earlier, the space was packed with people dancing in their underwear before setting off on a Pride-themed bike ride through the city.

This is the Norkova Community Center, what Allen calls the “ultimate third place,” somewhere between home and work where people can connect, relax and engage with others.

The idea for Norkova began in 2019, after one of Allen’s friends, Tereza Norkova, died by suicide. The loss shattered her world, but it also sparked a profound shift in purpose. Determined to honor her friend’s memory and support those struggling with loneliness, hopelessness and mental health challenges, Allen set out to create something meaningful. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. As isolation grew and opportunities for connection disappeared, the need for community became more apparent than ever.

“Everyone just needs someone — and to not feel alone. Norkova is kind of like the gateway to gather.”

After earning her Master of Health Administration from the University of Southern California and moving to Utah, Allen began experimenting with ways to bring people together. She started by hosting small, weekly gatherings. Before long, those meetups grew into yoga in the park and paint-and-sip nights. As interest grew, so did the offerings, with retreats and larger gatherings drawing more participants. Last winter, Allen opened a small studio in downtown Salt Lake. And just a few months ago, she took an even bigger step by renting the warehouse that would become the Norkova Community Center.“It’s not something I necessarily intended to build, but people need it, and it just attracts really good people,” Allen says. “I’ve always had an entrepreneur mindset.”

Seated beside Allen on the couch is Diana Ibarra, who jokingly refers to herself as Allen’s “right-hand woman.” Ibarra first discovered Norkova in 2023 while attending one of the weekly gatherings. She found the community she was looking for and has been helping Allen plan, organize and host events ever since.“Everyone just needs someone — and to not feel alone,” Ibarra says. “Norkova is kind of like the gateway to gather.”

In the beginning, Allen offered Norkova’s events free of charge. But as the community grew, the organization transitioned to a membership model to support its expanding programming. Today, memberships start at $69 per month and include unlimited access to the coworking space, classes, events and offsite gatherings. For those looking for more flexibility, Norkova also offers $10 day passes to the center and day of events, as well as individual event tickets. “No one is ever turned away due to cost,” Ibarra says, noting affordability was always top of mind for Allen.

“I think people can all agree we can all use a little bit more happiness.”

Upcoming events include: breathwork classes, yoga, acupuncture, hikes, crafts, kombucha, forest bathing, Pilates and Pancakes and offsite retreats. All ages are welcome to attend. Allen says one of the most popular staple events is the sound baths at the Bonneville Salt Flats. To keep up with upcoming events and offerings, members and newcomers alike can follow Norkova’s Instagram account, @norkovah, which has grown to more than 11,000 followers, or check the booking page on norkova.org.

Ultimately, Allen has one guiding mission at Norkova: help people be happy. “I think people can all agree we can all use a little bit more happiness,” she explains. “Appreciate the little things, like smiling at strangers or going about your day with purpose. Happiness isn’t a lack of problems but having perspective on those problems and the tools and community to work through them.”

Read more about what’s happening in the community: 
Clocking It with The Facial Femmes
Learning As You Grow With The Easter Gardener

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