Tech Company Opens Chic Downtown Office

Malden entrepreneur Michael Kruckenberg could have opened shop in any number of Greater Boston area tech hubs when he decided to expand his homegrown business earlier this year. 

Instead, the long-time resident opted to keep the innovations in the family - six years after his humble beginnings selling hand-made adapters on eBay, Kruckenberg and his employees were joined by Mayor Gary Christenson for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new 350 Main St. office Tuesday. 

His company, CableJive LLC, specializes in third-party accessories for smartphones, including adapters to wirelessly connect devices to speakers and professional microphones.

“We're in Malden because we love Malden,” Kruckenberg said, noting most of his six employees are also residents. “It didn't make sense to go anywhere else...we looked at other places in Somerville and Medford and it just didn't feel right.”

Kruckenberg also cited the building proximity's to the Malden Center T stop as another major factor in his decision.

Christenson framed the opening within his broader vision for downtown re-development, including a $2 million renovation of Pleasant St., the relocation of city hall, a proposed downtown ballpark and a new mixed use development at the former downtown Superfitness site.

“You're coming in at the right time...right at the cusp” of a revitalized downtown, he told employees. “We couldn't be more pleased to have you be a part of that.”

The best part of the company's hometown pride? Massachusetts residents get 25 percent off of all online purchases with the code “ILUVMALDEN” through Dec. 31.