The Brown Street Maker Cooperative is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing its members with the space, materials, and tools to build a wide variety of crafts and to engage in sustainability projects.
Membership
The Co-op will be a member-based organization where members help one another and actively support one another in various projects and in acquiring knowledge. The Co-op will also engage with the broader community through classes, workshops, and other events that are developed by Co-op members.
The Co-op hopes to be self-sustaining through donations and grants and therefore not charge a membership fee. To help support a no cost membership model, all Co-op members will be required to regularly volunteer their time in a variety of roles. Members will also use their own materials or pay for materials acquired from the Co-op.
Equipment
A wide variety of crafting equipment and materials will be available at the Co-op including:
Laser Cutters and 3D printers
Woodworking Tools
Kiln
art stations
laptops for computer aided design and programming
electronics
Workshops
The Co-op will have workshops available for members. Workshops will grow to reflect the skills of members and the needs and interests of the community. Some workshops may also be available to non-members.
When the Co-op opens in 2025, we plan to start with an initial set of workshop offerings as described below. We will continue to refine the program based on feedback from the community and members. We are also actively seeking instructors so if you are interested in volunteering to develop or lead workshops please reach out.
workshops
Laser Cutting and Engraving
introduction to woodworking
circuit design and microcontrollers
hand building pottery
explore surface design
Schedule
The Co-op will be staffed by members and hours of operation will depend on member availability. As membership grows our goal will be to keep the doors open seven days a week. If there is sufficient volunteer staffing, the building will be open to members for general use in their personal projects with the exception of time periods when classes, workshops and other events are being offered.
Renovation
The former Brown Street Market at the corner of Brown Street and Newton Street was constructed in 1921 and requires an extensive interior renovation. No major exterior changes are planned except for the conversion of the window on Newton Street into an entryway to improve accessibility. While the exact timing of renovations will depend on permit approval and zoning adjustment, we hope to begin work in late fall 2024 and open in mid-2025.